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FORTHE  PEOPLE 

FOR  EDVCATION 

FOR  SCIENCE 

LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  AMERICAN  MUSEUM 

OF 

NATURAL  HISTORY 

THE     I  B  I 


QUARTERLY  JOURNAL  OF  ORNITHOLOGY. 


EDITED  BY 


PHILIP  LUTLEY  SCLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  E.R.S., 

SECRETARY  TO  THE  ZOOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OP  LONDON, 
AND 

HOWARD  SAUNDERS,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. 


VOL.  II.     1884. 
FIFTH  SERIES. 

Ibis  avis  robusta  et  iniiltos  vivit  in  annos. 

LONDON: 

JOHN  VAN  VOORST,  1  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 

1884.. 


X 


AlEitr.  T   fi,a:mmam. 


ri?lNT7:D  BY  TAYLOR  AND  FltANCIS, 
RKn  I.ION  COURT,  FLEET  STREET. 


PREFACE. 


Our  remarks  on  bringing-  to  a  close  the  twenty-sixth 
volume  of  '  The  Ibis  '  will  occupy  but  little  space. 

The  April  number  this  year,  it  will  have  been 
observed,  was  rather  thin,  and  the  Editors  began  to 
fear  that  contributions  were  falling  off ;  but  during 
the  past  six  months,  we  are  happy  to  say,  an  abundant 
supply  of  articles  has  arrived,  enabling  us  to  bring 
the  volume  up  to  its  usual  standard  in  quality,  it 
is  believed,  as  well  as  in  quantity.  For  next  year 
we  have  also  several  promising  communications  in 
preparation. 

P.  L.  S. 


H.  S. 


British  Ornithologists'  Union, 

6  Tenterden  Street,  London,  W. 
September  25th,  1884. 


BHITISH  ORNITHOLOGISTS'  UNION. 

1884. 


[An  asterisk  indicates  an  Original  Member.] 


Date  of 
Election. 

1881.  WrLLiA.M    Randal,  Earl    of   Antrim;    St,   James's    Palace, 
London,  S.W. 

1879.  Valentine  Ball,  E.R.S.  ;  Trinity  College,  Dublin. 

1872.  HANBUEr  Barclay,  Lieut. -Col.,   F.Z.S. ;    Cross  Oak,  Great 

Berkhampstead,  Herts. 
1884.  Henry  E.  Barnes,  Lieut. ;  Commissariat  Department,  India. 
5    1881.  Richard  Manliffe  Barrington,  LL.B.,  Barrister  at  Law; 

Fassaroe,  Bray,  Co.  Wicklow. 
1884.  Frank  E.  Beddard,  Prosector,  Zoological  Society's  Gardens, 

N.W. 
1875.  John  Biddulph,  Major,  Bengal  Stafl'  Corps. 

1880.  Edward  Bidwell  ;  1  Trig  Lane,  Upper  Thames  Street,  E.G. 
1884.  C.  T.  Bingham,  Capt. ;  Moulmein,  Burmah. 

lo   1873.  W.  T.  Blanford,   F.R.S.    &c.  ;   8  Princes  Street,  Hanover 
Square,  London,  W. 

1878.  William  Borrer,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Cowfold,  Horsham. 

1870.  Sir  Victor  Brooke,  Bart, ;  Colebrooke,  Fermanagh,  Ireland. 

187L  Arthur  Basil  Brooke;  Cardney,  Dunkeld,  N.B. 

1866.  Henry  Buckley,  F.Z.S. ;  27  Wheeley  Road,  Edgbaston,  Bir- 
mingham. 
15   1868.  Thomas  Edward  Buckley,  B.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Millerton,  Inverness, 
N.B. 

1872.  Walter  Lawry  Buller,  C.M.G.,  Sc.D.,  F.R.S.,  F.L.S.,  &c. ; 
care  of  Mr.  Hoey,  7  Westminster  Chambers,  Loudon,  S.W. 

1884.  E.  A.  Butler,  Major,  Royal  Irish  Rifles,  Belfast. 

1884.  Geoffrey  Fowell  Buxton  ;  Sunny  Hill,  Thorpe,  Norwich. 

1879.  Thomas  David  Gibson  Carmichael  ;  Castlecraig,  Dolphinton, 
N.B.  ;  and  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 


Date  of 
Election. 

20   1884.  Abkl  CfTAPMAN;  Silksworth  Hall,  Sunderland. 

1882.  RojiERT  William  Chase  ;  Southfield,  Edgbaston  Road,  Bir- 
mingham. 
1880.  William  Eagle  Claeee  ;  5  East  View,  Hyde  Park,  Leeds. 

1876.  Edward    Henry    Stuart,    Lord    Clifton  ;    Cobliam    Hall, 

Gravesend. 
1880.  E.  H.  Cooper,  Lieut.-Col. ;  42  Portmau  Square,  London,  W. 
25    1874.  John  CoRDEAirx ;  Great  Cotes,  Ulceby,  Lincolnshire. 

1882.  Charles  B.  Cory  ;  8  Arlington  Street,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. 

1882.  Philip  Crowley  ;  Waddon  House,  Croydon. 

1877.  J.  J.  Dalgleish  ;  8  Athole  Crescent,  Edinburgh. 
1874.  Charles  Danford,  F.Z.S. 

30    1883.  James  Davidson  ;  32  Drumsheugh  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 
1884.  William  Buxton  Davison  ;  Ootacamund,  South  India. 

1883.  ScROPE  B.  DoiG ;  Public  Works  Department,  Bombay. 

1880.  Arthur  Dowsett  ;  Hatherley,  Loiidon  Road,  Reading. 
1865.  Henry  Eeles  Dresser,  E.L.S.,  E.Z.S. ;    6  Tenterden  Street, 

Hanover  Square,  London,  W.,  and  Topclyfte  Grange,  Farn- 
borough,  Kent. 
35  *Henry  Maurice  Drummond-Hay,  C.M.Z.S.,  Licut.-CoL,  Royal 

Perth  Rifles  ;  Seggieden,  Perth. 

1878.  W.  Arthur  Durnford;  Tankersley,  Barnsley. 

1876.  George  LeC.  Egerton,  Lieut.  R.N.;  The  Lodge,  Stoke  Road, 

Gosport. 
1870.  Daniel  GiRATJD  Elliot,  F.R.S.E.,  tfec. ;  New  Brighton,  Staten 

Island,  New  York. 

1884.  Algernon  Elliott,  Assist.  Com.,  Yeotmahl,  Berar,  India. 
40   1866.  Henry  John  El^ves,  F.Z.S. ;  Preston,  Cirencester. 

1879.  Arthur  Humble  Evans,  B.A.  ;  Scremerston  Vicarage,  Ber- 

wick-on-Twced,  and  Clare  College,  Cambridge. 
1873.  H.  W.  Feilden,  Major,  F.Z.S.,  C.M.Z.S.;  West  House,  Wells, 

Norfolk. 
1884.  Henry  Ogg  Forbes,  F.Z.S. ;  Rubislaw  Den,  Aberdeen. 

1880.  William  Foster  ;  The  HiU,  Whitley,  Surrey.     . 

45    1865.  Rev.  Henry  Elliott  Fox,  M.A.  ;   12  South  Bailey,  Durham. 

1881.  Percy  Evans  Freke;  Rosemount,  Dundrum,  Co.  Dublin. 

1881.  Hans  Gadow,  Ph.D. ;  Cambridge. 

1879.  Ernest  Gibson  ;  17  Maytield  Gardens,  Edinburgh. 

*Fbederick  DuCane  Godman,  F.R.S.,  &c. ;  10  Chandos  Street, 
Cavendish  Square,  London,  W. 


Vll 


Date  of 
Election. 


50  *Peecy     Sanden     Godman,      B.A.,     C.M.Z.S.  ;      Miintham, 

Horsham, 
1874,  H,  H.  Godwin-Atisten,  Lieut. -Col.,  F.E,S,,  F.Z.S. ;  Junior 

United  Service  Club. 
1884.  J.  G.  GooDCHiLD ;  28  Jermyn  Street,  S,W. 
1871.  RoBEET  Gray,  F.R.S.E.,  r.S,A.S. ;  Bank  of  Scotland  House, 

Bank  Street,  Edinburgh. 
1878.  Henet  Geey,  Bengal  Staff  Corj)s ;  care  of  Messrs.  Griudlay 
&Co, 
55    1876,  Albeex  C.  L,  G,  GtiJ^THER,  M.A.,  M.D.,  F.R.S.,  &c. ;  Keeper 
of  the  Zoological  Department,  Britiah  Museum,  London. 
*JoHN  Heney  Gtjeney,  F.Z.S.  ;  Northrepps  Hall,  Norwich. 
1870.  John  Heney  Gueney,  Jun.,  F.Z.S.;  Northrepps  Hall,  I^orwich. 
1877,  Edwaed  Haecoukt,  M,P,  ;  Nuneham  Park,  Oxford, 

1883.  Lewis  Veenon  Haecotjet  ;  7  Grafton  Street,  London,  W. 

60    1876.  H.  C.   Haefoed,    99th  Regiment ;   2  Eldon  Villa,  Granada 
Road,  Southsea. 
1877.  E.  Haegitt;   1  Bedford  Road,  Bedford  Park,  Chiswick. 
1868.  James  Edmund  Haeting,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. ;    6  Oxford  &  Cam- 
bridge Mansions,  N.W. 
1873.  John  A.  Haevie-Beown;  Dunipace  House,  Larbert,  N.B. 

1868.  Rev.  Heebeet  S.  Hawkins,  M.A,  ;  Beyton  Rectory,  Suffolk. 
65   1875.  J.  C.  Hele  ;  Knowles,  Newton-Abbot. 

1884.  C.  J.  HoLDswoETH ;  "VVilmslow,  Cheshire. 

1877.  E.  W.  H.  Holdsworth;  84  Clifton  Hill,  St.  John's  Wood, 

London,  N.W. 
1881.  Robert  James  Ho WAED  ;  Blackburn,  Lancashire. 

*WiLFEiD    HuDLESTON  HuDiESTON,  M.A.,    F.Z.S.  ;     Oatlands 
Park,  Weybridge. 
70   1879.  Baeon  a.  von  Hugel;  Cambridge. 

1869.  Allan  Octavian  Hume,  C.B.  ;  Simla,  India. 

1870.  Hedwoeth   Hylton,  Lord   Hylton;    Mcrstham,    Red   Hill, 

Surrey. 
1870.  Leonard  Howard  L.  Irby,  Lieut.-Col.,  F.Z.S. ;  Army  &  Navy 

Club,  Pall  Mall,  S.W. 
1884.  H.  Heywood  Jones,  F.Z.S. ;  Larkhill,  West  Derby,  Liverpool. 
75    1880.  Henry  Robert  Kelham,  Lieut.  74th  Highlanders ;  Barracks, 

Hamilton,  N.B. 
1874.  Alexander  W.  M.  Clark  Kennedy,  Capt.,  F.L.S.,  F.R.G.S., 

F.Z.S. ;  Heubury,  Wimborne,  Dorset. 


r)atf  of 
Election. 

1882.  Philip  M.  Kermode  ;  Bcabridge  Cottage,  llamsay,  Isle  of  Man. 
*Arthur  Edward  Knox,  M.A.,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S. ;  Trotton  House, 
Petersfield,  Sussex. 
1882.  Eev.  Edw.  Ponsoscy  Knubley,  M.A.  ;  Stavely  Eectory,  Leeds. 
80   1884.  Herbert  Langton  ;  115  Queen's  Road,  Brighton. 
1881.  Hon.  Gerald  Lascelles  ;  Queen's  House,  Lyndhurst. 

1876.  YiNCENX   Legge,   Lieut.-Col.,   E..A.  ;    Commandant's    Office, 

Hobart  Town,  Tasmania. 
1868.  Hamon  Le  Strange,  F.Z.S.  ;  Hunstanton  Hall,  King's  Lynn, 

Norfolk. 
1875.  Paget   Walter   Le   Strange,   Lieut.-Col.    Royal  Artillery ; 

Secunderabad,  Deccan,  India. 
85  *Thomas  Ltttleton,  Lord  Lilford,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.,  &c. ;  Lilford 

Hall,  Oundle,  Worthants,  and  6  Tenterden  Street,  London ,  W. 

1874.  John  Hayes  Lloyd,  Major,  F.Z.S. ;  Colebrooke  Lodge,  Lognor, 

Sussex. 

1877.  J.  LrMSDEN,  Jun. ;  Arden  House,  Alexandria,  N.B. 

1875.  John    Wingeield   Malcolm  ;    7  Stanhope   Street,   Maylair, 

London,  W. 

1878.  Henry  Stact  Marks,  R.A.,  F.R.S. ;  17  Hamilton  Terrace, 

St.  John's  Wood,  London,  N.W. 
go    1870.  C.  H.  T.  Marshall,  Major,  F.Z.S. ;  Superintendent,  Chumba 
State,  via  Dalhousie,  India. 
1870.  G.  F.  L,  Marshall,  F.Z.S. ;  Major  Royal  (Bengal)  Engineers, 
with  the   Supreme   Government   of  India ;    1   Wetherby 
Gardens,  South  Kensington. 

1878,  Rev.  Murray  A.  Mathew,  M.A.,  F.L.S. ;  Stone  Hall,  Wolf's 

Castle,  Pembrokeshire. 
1883.  Edmund  Gustavus  Bloomfield   Meade-Waldo  ;  Rope  HiU, 
Lymington,  Hants. 

1879.  Frederick  Shaw  Mitchell;  Clitheroe,  Lancashire. 

95   1864.  Alexander  Goodman  More,  F.L.S.,  &c. ;  Museum  of  Science 
and  Art,  Dublin. 
1882,  Thomas  Hudson  Nelson  ;  North  Bondgate,  Bishop  Auckland, 

Durham,  and  Redcar,  Yorkshire. 
1876.  Hugh  Nevill  ;  Newton  Villa,  Godalming. 
1872.  Francis  D'Akcy  William  Clough  Newcome  ;  Feltwell  Hall, 
Brandon,  Suffolk. 
*Alfred  Neavton,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  F.Z.S.;  Profegsor  of  Zoology 
in  the  Univereity  of  Cambridge. 


Date  of 
Election. 

loo  *Edwaed  Newton,  M,A.,  C.M.G.,  F.L.S.,  C.M.Z.S. 

1876.  Francis  Nicholson,  F.Z.S.  ;  The  Grove,  Oldfield,  Altrincham. 

1882.  Eugene   William    Gates  ;     6    Tenterden    Street,   Hanover 

Square,  W. 
*Sir  John    Orde,   Bart.,    F.Z.S. ,  late  Captain,  42nd    (Eoyal 
Highland)  Regiment;  Kilmorj  House,   Loch  Gilp  Head, 
N.B. 

1883.  Henry  Parker,  C.E.  ;  Public  Works  Department,  Ceylon, 
joe    1880.  TnoMAS  Parkin,  M.A.,  F.Z.S. ;  Halton,  near  Hastings. 

1884.  R.    L.    Patterson,    F.L.S.  ;    Croft   House,    Holywood,    Co. 

Down. 
1883.  Thomas  Mayer  Pike,  M.A.  ;  Westport,  Wareham. 

1880.  Charles  Matthew  Prior  ;  The  Avenue,  Bedford,  aud  Trinity 

Hall,  Cambridge. 

1872.  Capt.  E.  G.  Wardlaw  Eamsay  ;  WhitehiU,  EoseweU,  N.B. 
no    1879.  Herbert  Evely^n  Eawson  ;  Coney  Hall  Farm,  West  Wick- 
ham,  Kent. 

1877.  Savile    G.    Eeid,  Capt.  E.E. ;    Wilton    House,   Farnham, 

Surrey. 

1873.  Sir  Oliver  Beattchamp  Coventry  St.  John,  Colonel  E.E. ; 

care  of  Messrs,  H.  S.  King  &  Co.,  45  Pall  Mall,  London, 

S.W. 
1883.  William  Herbert  St.  Qttintin  ;  Scampston  Hall,  Eillington, 

Yorkshire. 
*OsBERT  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.E.S,,   &c.;   10  Chandos  Street,  W., 

and  Hawksfold,  Fernhurst,  Haslemere. 
it5    1870.  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S,,  F.Z.S.;  7  Eadnor  Place,  Hyde 

Park,  London,  W. 
*Philip  Lutley  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.E.S.,  &c. ;  44  Elvas- 

ton  Place,  Queen's  Gate,  London,  W. 

1881.  J.  Scully,  F.L.S,,  F.Z.S.;  care  of  Messrs.  H.  S.  King  &  Co., 

45  PaU  Mall,  London,  S.W. 
1873.  Henry    Seebohm,    F.Z.S.  ;     6    Tenterden    Street,    Hanover 

Square,  W,,  and  22  Courtfield  Gardens,  London,  S.W. 
1871.  Eichard  Bowdler  Shaepe,  F.L.S.,  F.Z.S.  ;  Senior  Assistant, 

Zoological  Department,  British  Museum. 
120   1870.  G.  Ernest  Shelley,  F.Z.S.,  late  Captain,  Grenadier  Guards; 

6  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  London,  W. 
1865.  Eev.  Charles  William  Shepherd,  M.A.,  F.Z.S.;  Trotters- 

clitfe  Eectory,  Maidstone,  Kent, 


Date  of 
Election. 

1881.  F.  B.  RiMSON ;  Broom  Hill,  Spratton,  Northampton. 

1882.  Rev.  Hbney  H.  Slater,  M.A.,  F.Z.S.  ;    Irchestcr  Vicarage, 

WcUiugboro'. 
1878.  George  Monlaw  Slaughter,  Brigade-Surgeon  ;  Farninghum, 
Kent. 
125    1864.  Rev.    Alfred    Charles   Smith,    M.A.  ;    Yatesbury   Rectory, 
Calne,  Wiltshire. 

1874.  Cecil  Smith  ;  Lydeard  House,  Taunton,  Somersetshire, 

1881.  Thomas  Southwell,  F.Z.S.  ;  Earlham  Road,  Norwich. 

1875.  A.  C.  Stark  ;  1  Merchiston  Avenue,  Edinburgh. 

1864.  Henry  Stevenson,  F.L.S.  ;  22  Unthank's  Road,  Norwich, 
130    1881.  Robert  "Wright  Studdt,  Major  G3rd  Regiment,  India ;  care 
of  E.  W.  H.  Holdsworth,  84  Clifton  Hill,  St.  John's  Wood, 
London,  N.W. 

1882.  Charles  Swinhoe,  Major,  Bombay  Statf  Corps,  Commissariat 

Department,  Bombay ;  and  Yately  Green,  Farnboro',  Hants. 
1884.  W.  C.  Tait  ;  Oporto. 

*Edward  Cavendish  Taylor,  M.A,,  F.Z,S, ;   74  Jermyn  Street, 

London,  W. 
1864.  George    Cavendish    Taylor,    F.Z.S.  ;     42    Elvaston    Place, 

Queen's  Gate,  London,  W. 
135    1873.  William  Bernhard  Tegetmeier,  F.Z.S. ;  Finchley,  Middlesex. 
*Rev.    Henry   Baker   Tristram,    M.A.,   LL.D.,  F.R.S.,   &c.. 

Canon  of  Durham  ;  The  College,  Durham. 
1864.  Henry  Morris  Upcher,  F.Z.S. ;  Sheringham  Hall,  Norfolk, 

and  Felt  well  Hall,  Brandon. 
1881.  WiLLOuGHBY  Verner,  Capt.  Royal  Rifle  Brigade;  13  Bryan- 

ston  Square,  W. 
1884.  A.  S.  Vesey;  3  Campden  Villas,  Barnes,  S.W. 
140    1881.  Thomas,  Lord  Walsingham  ;    Eaton  House,  Eaton   Square, 

London,  S.W.,  and  Merton  Hall,  Thetford,  Norfolk. 
1874.  Charles   Bygeave   Wharton,   F.Z.S. ;    Hounsdown,    Totton, 

Hants. 
1878.  Henry  Thornton  Wharton,  M.A.,  F.Z.S,  ;    39  St.  George's 

Road,  Abbey  Road,  London,  N.W. 
1884.  Joseph  Whitaker  ;  Rainworth  Lodge,  Mansfield,  Notts. 
1871.  E,  Perceval  Wright,  M.D.,  F.L.S,,  F.Z.S.,  Professor  of  Botany 

in  the  University  of  Dublin, 
14c    1875.  Charles  A.  Wright;   Kayhough  House,  Kew-Gardens  Road, 

Kew. 


XI 

Date  of 
Election. 

1876.  Claude  W.  Wyatx;  Addorbury,  Banbury. 

1878.  John  Young,  F.Z.S,  ;  04  Hereford  lioad,  Westboiirne  Grove, 
London,  W. 

1877.  J.  H.  Yule,  Capt.  Devon  Regiment;  Jullundur,  Bengal. 

Extra-  Ordinary  Member. 

18G0.  Alfred  Russel  Wallace,  F.Z.S. ;  Nutwood  Cottage,  Frith 
Hill,  Godalming. 

Honorary  Members. 

1860.  Professor  Spencer  Fullerton  Bated,  Secretary  to  the  Smith- 
sonian Institution,   Washington. 

1860.  Doctor  Eduard  Baldamus,  Moritzwinger,  No.  7,  Halle. 

1860.  Doctor  Jean  Cabanis,  Erster  Custos  am  koniglichen  Museum 
der  Friedrich-Wilhelm's  Universitiit  zu  Berlin. 

1870.  Doctor  Otto  Finsch,  Bremen, 

1880.  Heinrich  Gatee,  C.M.Z.S.,  Secretary  to  the  Government  of 
Heligoland . 

1860,  Doctor  Gustav  Hartlaub,  Bremen. 

1860.  Edgar  Leopold  La  yard,  C.M.G.,  F.Z.S.,  H.M.  Consul,  New 
Caledonia. 

1869.  August  von  Pelzeln,  Custos  am  k.-k.  zoologischen  Cabinetc 
in  Wien. 

Foreign  Members. 

1872.  Prof.  J.  V.  Barboza  du  Bccage,  Royal  Museum,  Lisbon. 
1875.  Hans,  Graf  von  Berlepsch,  Miinden,  Hannover. 

1880.  Louis  Bureau,  M.D.,  School  of  Medicine,  Nantes. 

1873.  Robert  Collett,  Christiania. 

1872.  Doctor  Elliott  Coues,  U.S.  Army,  Smithsonian  Institution, 

Washington,  D.  G. 
1875.  Marchese  Giacomo  Doria,  Genoa. 
1872.  Doctor  Victor  Fatio,  Geneva. 
1872.  Doctor  Henry  Hillyer  Giglioli,  Royal  Institute  of  Superior 

Studies,  Florence. 
1872.  George  N.  Lawrence,  New  Yorh. 
1872.  Baron  De  Selys  Longchamps,  Liege. 
1872.  Doctor  A.  J.  Malmgren,  Helsingfors. 
1883.  Professor  Othniel  Charles  Marsh,  Yale  College,  Ntwhaven, 

U.S. 


Date'of 
Election. 

1881.  Doctor    Adolph    Bernard    Meter,    Director  of  the  Koyal 
Museum,  Dresden. 

1872.  Doctor  A.  von  Middendoeff,  Dorpat. 
jc    1872.  Prof.  Alphonse  Milne-Edwards,  Jardin  des  Plantes,  Paris. 

1881.  Colonel  N.  Prejevalsky,  Academy  of  Science  and  Art,  St. 
Petershnrg. 

1872.  Prof.  GusTAT  Radde,  Tiflis. 

1880.  EoBERT  Ridgway,  C.M.Z.S.,  Smithsonian  Institution,  Wash- 
ington. 

1872.  Count  ToMMASo  Salvadori,  Royal  Museum,  Turin. 


CONTENTS  OF  VOL.  II.— FIFTH  SERIES. 

(1884.) 


Nttmber  v.,  January. 


I.  A  Eeview  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae. — Part  III. 
Agelseinte.     By  P.  L.  Sclatek,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.K.S.     (Plate  I.)       1 

II.  On  a  uew  Garpodectes  from  South-western  Costa  Eica. 

By  Robert  Eidgwat.     (Plate  II.)       . 27 

III.  On  a  new  Species  of  Wryneck,  discovered  in  Eastern 
Equatorial  Africa  by  Dr.  Emin  Bey.  By  Dr.  G.  Hartlaub. 
(Plate  III.) 28 

IV.  Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  By 
Henry  Seebohm 80 

V.  Notes  on  three  Guatemalan  Birds.     By  Robert  Ridgwat     43 

VI.  On  two  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Africa.     By  Captain 

G.  E.  Shelley 45 

VII.  Introduction  to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  By  R.  Bowdler 
Sharpe 49 

VIII.  Inauguration  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  .     GO 

IX.  Rough  Notes  on  Spanish  Ornithology,  By  Abel 
Chapman.     (Plate  IV.) 66 

X.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  V.  On  a  new  Japanese 
Woodpecker.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S 100 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Page 

XI.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

1.  Booth's  Rough  Notes  on  British  ]3iids lUl 

2.  British  Association's  Heport  on  Migration  in  1882     .  102 

3.  '  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club  '    .     .     .  I(i3 
-Jr.  D'Aubusson's  '  Birds  of  France  ' 103 

5.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia  ' 104 

6.  Hartlaub  on  the  Genus  Hyliota 104 

7.  Nelson  on  the  Birds  of  Bering  Sea 105 

8.  Oates's  '  Birds  of  British  Burmah  ' I  (HI 

9.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  Somali-land 107 

10.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Ecuador 107 

11.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Ceiitral  Africa 108 

12.  lleichenow  on  the  Birds  of  Zoological  Gardens  .     .     .  108 

13.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands 

and  Petropaulovsky 108 

14.  Ridgway  on  MotnciUa  ocularis 109 

15.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  Lower  California  .     .     .  109 
1().  Ridgway  on  a  new  American  Pipit 109 

17.  Ridgway  on  Merula  conjiitis 110 

18.  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarrell's  '  Birds  ' 110 

19.  Schalow  on  Bohm's  Collections  from  East  Africa    .     .   110 

20.  Stearns  on  the  Natural  History  of  Labrador     .     .     .111 

21.  Vorderman's  '  Birds  of  Bata via ' Ill 

22.  Watson  on  the  Penguins Ill 

XII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  J.  E.  Harting,  Mr.  E.  Cavendish  Taylor, 
Count  T.  Salvadori,  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser,  Baron  de  Selys-Long- 
champs ;  Forbes's  Final  Idea  as  to  the  Classification  of  Birds  : 
The  New  Bird-Gallery  at  South  Kensington  ;  The  U.S.  National 
Museum ;  The  National  Museum  of  Lisbon  ;  Bird-Notes  from 
Mr.  Layard;  New  Works  in  Progress ;  Rare  Birds  in  Andalucia; 
The  Birds  of  the  Benin  Islands  ;  Dr.  Fischer's  East-African 
Collections 114 


CONTENTS.  XT 


NrMBER  VI.,  April. 

Page 

XIII.  Field-Notes  from  81avonia  and  Hungary,  with  an 
Annotated  List  of  the  Birds  observed  in  Slavonia.  By  W. 
Eagle  Clakke,  F.L.S.,  M.B.O.U 125 

XIV.  A  Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Ictcridce. — 
Part  IV.  Quiscalince.  By  P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.E.S. 
(Plate  V.) 149 

XV.  On  a  Collection  of  San  Domingo  Birds.  By  H.  B. 
Tristram,  D.D.,  F.ll.S 167 

XVI.  On  some  Eastern  Owls.     By  J.  H.  Gurney  .     .     .     .168 

XVII.  Remarks  on  the  Occurrence  of  the  Egyptian  Nightjar 

in  Nottinghamshire.     By  J.  H.  Gurnet,  Jun.  ......  173 

XVIII.  Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan. 

By  Henrt  Seeboiim.     (Plate  VI.) 174 

XIX.  On  the  East-Asiatic  Shore-Lark  (Otocori/s  longirostris). 

By  Henry  Seebohm 184 

XX.  Notes    on   Woodpeckers. — No.    VI.     On    the    Genus 
tes.     By  Edward  Hargiit,  F.Z.S 189 


XXI.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VII.  Additional  Notes 
on  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Ethiopian  Region.  By  Edward 
Hargitt,  F.Z.S 199 

XXII.  On  the  Occurrence  of  CEstrelata  hcesitata  in  Hungary. 

By  W.  Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S 202 

XXIII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publication^  : — 

28.  '  The  Auk ' .  203 

24.  Blasius  on  Birds  from  Ecuador 204 

25.  Blasius  on  Birds  from  Java 204 

26.  Blasius  on  the  Great  Auk 204 

27.  Collett  on  three  additions  to  the  Norwegian  Avifauna  205 

28.  Coppinger's  Cruise  of  the  '  Alert ' 205 

29.  Doering  on  the  Birds  of  the  Rio  Negro  of  Patagonia  .  206 

30.  Dybowski's  additional  Remarks  on  the  Siberian  Puffins  207 

31 .  Dybowski's  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Kamtschatka     .     .  207 


^■i£fc*-'-» 


J 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

Page 

32.  Godman  and  Salvin's  '  Biologia  Centrali- Americana '  .  207 

33.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  New  Guinea  ' 208 

84.  Jullien  on  the  xinatomy  of  Aptenodytes 209 

3.5.  Maingonnat  on  a  new  Species  of  Argus 209 

30.  Oustalet's  Oruithologicul  Notes 209 

37.  Ramsay  on  the  Zoology  of  New  Guinea 210 

38.  Sharpe  on  the  Progress  of  Ornithology  in  1882      ,     ,211 

39.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Podasonjs  monHnus  .     .  213 

40.  Taczanowski's  Second  List  of  Birds  from  Kamtschatka  213 

XXIV.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c.  : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  E.  Cavendish  Taylor,  Count  T.  Salvadori ; 
The  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club  of  Chicago  ;  Eurijnorhyacluis 
p?/^Wf<?(fs  in  Hainan ;  Expedition  to  Kilimanjaro 214 


Number  VII.,  July. 

XXV.  Additional   Notes  on  the   Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

By  Thomas  Ayres.     Communicated  by  J.  H.  Gurxey     .     .     .  217 

XXVI.  A  few  Ornithological  Notes  and  Corrections.     By  W. 
Edwin  Brooks,  of  Milton  West,  Ontario,  Canada 234 

XXVII.  Remarks  on  two  rare  American  Oscines.     By  P.  L. 
ScLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,r.R.S.     (Plate  Vn.) 240 

XXVIII.  On   the   Birds  of  Northern  Tibet.      By  Col.  N. 
Przewalski 242 

XXIX.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VIII.  On  the  Genus 
Hemicercus.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S 244 

XXX.  On   a  Collection   of  Birds  from  Central  China.     By 
Henry  Seebohm 259 

XXXI.  Notes  on  the  Pink-headed  Duck  (Anas  caryophyl- 
lacea).     By  Frank  B.  Simson 271 

XXXII.  On  the  Species   of   the  Genus   Pertiis  inhabiting 
Japan.     By  J.  H.  Gur'ney 275 


CONTENTS.  XVU 

Page 

XXXIII.  Oil  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in 
European  Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. — Part  I.  Rapaces 
DiurnoD.     By  M.  Menzbier 278 

XXXIY.  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  in  Southern  Pala- 
wan by  Mr.  E.  Lempriere.  By  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe,  P.L.S., 
F.Z.S.,  &c.     (Plate  VIII.) 316 

XXXV.  Remarks  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth  Volumes  of  the 
'  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  British  Museum.'  By  T. 
Salvadori,  C.M.Z.S.,  For.  J\Iemb.  B.O.U 322 

XXXVI.  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  the  Philippine 
Islands. — On  two  Collections  of  Birds  from  the  vicinity  of 
Manilla.  By  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  F.Z.S.,  M.B.O.U. 
(Plate  IX.) 330 

XXXVII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

41.  Bennett  on  the  Habits  of  Leipoa    .     ,     .     .     .     .     .336 

42.  Blakiston's  Amended  List  of  the  Birds  of  Japan     .     .  336 

43.  Blasius's  Ornithological  Contributions 337 

44.  Cooke  and  Widmann  on  Bird-migration  in  the  Missis- 

sippi Valley ".  337 

45.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo 337 

46.  Crawford's  '  Across  the  Pampas ' 338 

47.  Crowley's  Catalogue  of  Birds'  Eggs 339 

48.  Fischer  and  Reichenow  on  new  Birds  from  Masai-land  339 

49.  Gadow  on  the  Cinnyrimorphae 340 

50.  Goss  on  the  Birds  of  Kansas 341 

51.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  New  Guinea  ' 341 

52.  Hartlaub  on  new  African  Birds 342 

53.  Holmberg  on  the  Birds  of  the  Sierra  del  Tandii     .     .  342 

54.  Huet  on  Birds  in  the  Jardin  des  Plantes 343 

55.  Johnston's  '  River  Congo  ' 343 

56.  Meyer  on  a  Grouse  from  Saxonj- 344 

57.  Ornithologist  and  Oologist 344 

58.  Radde  and  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  the  Caucasus.     .     .  344 

59.  Report  of  the  German  Committee  on  the  Migration  of 

Birds 344 

60.  Report  of  the  Austro-Hungarian  Committee  on  the 

Migration  of  Birds y45 

SER.  Y. — VOL.  II.  b 


XVlll  CONTENTS. 

Page 

61.  Schalow's  Catalogue  of  the  Seventh  Exhibition  of  the 

^gintha 345 

62.  Selys-Longchamps  on  the  Birds  of  Heligoland  .     .     .  345 

63.  Sharpe  on  Strix  oustaleti 346 

64.  Sharpe  on  the  correct  Name  of  the  Shsima    ....  346 

65.  Stejneger  on  the  Birds  of  Westland 346 

66.  Stejneger  on  new  Birds   from  Kamtschatka  and  the 

Commander  Islands 346 

67.  Swinburne's  List  of  the  Birds  inhabiting  the  Islands 

of  Sula  Sgeir 347 

68.  Vieillot's  '  Analyse  '  (reprint) 347 

69.  Vorderman's  '  Birds  of  Batavia  ' 348 

70.  Waglers  Six  Ornithological  Memoirs  (reprint)  .     .     .  348 

XXXYIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 
Letters  from  Mr.  J.  H,  Gurney,  Mr.  J.  A.  Harvie-Brown, 
Dr.  Finsch,  and  Count  Salvadori ;  Extract  from  a  Letter  from 
Mr.  Whitely ;  News  of  Travellers  and  Collectors  ;  New  Birds 
in  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens  ;  Bochebrune  v.  Nitzsch  ; 
Houbaras  as  Food;  News  of  the  Kilima-ndjaro  Expedition; 
Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago;  Hodgson's  Ornitho- 
logical Drawings  ;  The  late  Count  E.  Turati's  Collection  ; 
Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  B.O.U. ;  Obituary — Professor 
Schlegel 348 


Number  VIII. ,  October. 

XXXIX.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.     By  Howaed 
Saunders 365 

XL.  Notes  on  the  Eighth  Volume  of  the  '  Catalogue  of  Birds 
in  the  British  Museum.'     By  H.  B.  Tristram,  D.D.,  F.B.S.     .  392 

XLI.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba,  in  the  N."VV.  Himalayas. 
By  Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall.     (Plate  X.) 404 

XLII.  Notes  on  a  Collection  of   Birds  from  Laiikoran.     By 
Hknky  Skebohji 425 


CONTENTS.  XIX 

Page 
XLIII.  On  Tetnio  (jriseiventris,  a  recently  described  Si)eeies 
of  Hazel-Grouse  from  North-east  Eussia.     By  Henry  Seebohm, 
(Plate  XI.) 430 

XLIV.  On  a  Collection  of  Bird-skins  from  the  Orinoco, 
Venezuela.     By  Hans  von  Beelepsch.     (Plate  XII.)      .     .     .  431 

XLV.  Description  of  a  new  Species  of  the  Genus  Pinimniis 
from  Southern  Brazil.     By  Hans  von  Beelepsch 441 

XLVI.  Xotes  on  Birds  from  British  Guiana.  Part  III.  By 
OsiiERT  Salvin  and  F.  DuCane  Godman,  FF.Il.S.  (Plates  XIII., 
XIV.) 443 

XLVII.  Xotices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

71.  'The  Auk' 452 

72.  Blasius  on  the  Ornithological  Congress  at  Vienna  .     .  453 

73.  Blasius's  second  Paper  on  the  Great  Auk     .     .     .     .  454 

74.  Cope  on  the  Zoological  Position  of  Texas 454 

75.  Cones  and  Prentiss  on  the  Avifauna  of  Columbia   .     .  454 

76.  Dalgleish  on  Birds  and  Eggs  from  Central  Uruguay  .  455 

77.  Pinsch  on  Birds  from  the  South  Pacific 455 

78.  Giraldes  on  the  Birds  of  Portugal 455 

79.  Guruey's  '  List  of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of  Prey  "...  456 

80.  Harvie-Brown  on  Records  of  Migration 456 

81.  Martorelli  on  the  Fauna  of  Sardinia 457 

82.  Menzbier  on  the  Avifauna  of  Central  Russia      .     .     .  457 

83.  Menzbier  on  the  Extinction  of  Species  through  Crossing  457 

84.  Meyer  on  Birds,  Nests,  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies  458 

85.  Oustalet  on  the  Collections  of  M.  E.  Chantre     .     .     .  459 

86.  Oustalet  on  the  Architecture  of  Birds 460 

87.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  New  Guinea 460 

88-95.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds 460 

96.  Salvadori's  '  List  of  his  Works  ' 461 

97.  Salvador!  on  a  Falcon  new  to  Italy 461 

98,  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarrell's  '  Birds  ' 462 

99,  Seebohm's  '  British  Birds  and  their  Eggs  '     ,     .     .     .  462 

100.  Selys-Longchamps  on  the  Tits  (Parin?e) 463 

101.  Sharpens  '  Birds  of  South  Africa  ' 463 

102.  Taczanowski's  '  Ornithology  of  Peru  ' 463 

103.  Tristram's  '  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Palesti]ic '   ....  464 


Page 

XLYIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  J.  H.  Cdurney  (two),  Mr.  H.  K.  Coale,  Capt. 
Savile  G.  lleid,  Mr.  A.  jS^ehrkorn,  Mr.  E.  N.  Harcourt,  Mr.  F. 
Nicholson  ;  Additions  to  the  Collection  of  Birds  in  the  British 
Museum  ;  Sheep-slaughter  by  Ncsto)'  nohihllls  ;  Bird-notes  from 
Tasmania ;  Xote  concerning-  Mr.  William  Foster 405 

Index 473 

Titlepage,  Preface,  List  of  ^[embers,  and  Contents. 


PLATES  IN  VOL.   IL 

FIFTH  SERIES. 


Page 

I.     Agelfeus  cyauopus 13 

II.     Carpodectes  antonine 27 

III.     lyux  pulchricollis 28 

IV.     Flamingoes  on  the  Nest 89 

V.     Quiscalus  teuuirostris 157 

VI.     Bubo  blakistoni 183 

VII.     Idiopsar  brachyurus 241 

VIII.     Thriponax  hargitti 317 

IX.     Ceyx  cyanopectus 332 

X.     Lophophorus  chaml)anus 421 

XI.     Tetrao  griseiventris 430 

XII.     Cnipolegus  orenocensis 433 

XIII.  Calliste  whitelyi 445 

XIV.  Lathria  streptophora 448 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH   SERIES. 


No.  V.     JANUARY  1884. 


I. — A  Review  of  the  Species  of  Ike  Family  Icteridae. — 
Part  III.  Agelsein^.  By  P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A  ,  Ph.D., 
F.R.S. 

(Plate  I.) 

[Continued  from  '  The  Ibis/  1883,  p.  374.] 

In  reviewing  the  species  of  the  third  subfamily  of  the  Icte- 
ridse  I  shall,  for  convenience'  sake,  as  in  the  case  of  the  former 
subfamilies,  adhere  very  closely  to  the  sequence  of  genera 
adopted  in  the  '  Nomenclator  '  and  '  Catalogue  of  American 
Birds,'  although  I  am  well  aware  that  it  would  not  be  diffi- 
cult to  show  that  in  certain  points  this  arrangement  is  by  no 
means  free  from  objections. 

Subfam.  III.   Agel^in^, 

The  Agelseinie  are  a  group  of  more  terrestrial  habits  than 
the  Cassicinse  and  Icterinse,  and  have  their  feet  modified 
accordingly ;  the  bill  is  shorter  and  more  completely  conical, 
and  the  culmen  straight,  flattened,  and  more  or  less  broadened. 
But  it  is  exceedingly  difficult,  I  admit,  to  draw  a  line  dividing 
some  of  the  more  tenuirostral  forms  of  the  Agelseinas  from 

SER.  v. VOL.   II.  B 


2  iNIr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Icterus.     I  refer  the  following  thirteen  genera  to  this  sub- 
family : — 

I.  DoUchomjx,  p.  2.  viii.   Gymnomystax,  p.  19. 

II.  Molothras,  p.  3.  ix.  Pseudoleistes,  p.  19. 

III.  Cyrtotes,  p.  9.  x.   Curaus,  p.  21. 

IV.  Agelaus,  p.  9.  xi.  Leistes,  p.  21. 

V.  Xanthocephalus,  p.  14.  xii.   Trupialis,  p.  23. 

VI.  Xanthosomus,  p.  13.  xiii.   Sturnella,  p.  24. 

VII.  Amblyrhamphus,  p.  17. 

GrenilS  I.     DOLICHONYX. 

Dolichonyx,  Sw.  Zool.  Journ.  iii.  p.  351    (1827)  ;    type  D. 
oryzivora. 

1.    DoLICHONYX  ORVZIVORUS. 

Emberiza  oryzivora,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  311 ;  Wils.  Am.  Orn. 
ii.  p.  48,  pi.  13.  f.  1,  2. 

Passerinu  oryzivora,  Vieill.  N.  D.  xxv.  p.  3. 
Psarocolius  cauclacutus,  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  sp.  32. 
Dolichonyx  oryzivora,  Sw.  Zool.  Journ.  iii.  p.  351,  et  Faun. 
Bor.-Ani.  ii.  p.  278;   Bp.  Consp.  p.  437;   Gosse,   B.  Jam. 
p.  229;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  522;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1858, 
p.  72  (Rio  Napo),  1861,  p.  74  (Jamaica),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  134 ; 
Sclat.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  781   (Merida),  1876,  p.  16 
(Peru),  et  Nomeucl.  p.  37;  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1874,  p.  129 
(Cuba)  ;   Salvin,  Ibis,  1866,  p.  194  (Belize) ;  Baird,  Brew.,  et 
Bidgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  149 ;  Pelz.  Orn.  Braz.  p.  199  (Mato- 
Grosso)  ;  Darwin,  Voy.  Beagle,  iii.  p.  106  (Galapagos). 
Supra  niger;  nucha  lata  pallide  cervin«a;  iuterscapulio  fusco 
variegato ;  secundariis  dorso  proxirais  et  primariis  fusco 
limbatis;  scapularibus  et  dorso  postico  cum  supracau- 
dalibus  albis,  dorso  medio  in  cinereum  transeunte,  subtus 
niger,  tibiis  fuscis ;  rostro  nigro ;  pedibus  carneis  :  long, 
tota  7'0,  alae  3*8,  caudee  2-8.     Fern,  (et  mas  in  vestitu 
hiemali) .  Supra  fulva  nigro  variegata,  superciliis  et  cor- 
pore  subtixs  flavido-cinnamomeis. 
Hab.  Eastern  North  America  and  south  tlirough  Central 
America  and  the  West  Indies  to  Panama,  Venezuela,  Guiana, 
Brazil,  Peru,  and  Paraguay. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  3 

This  well-known  Nortli-Araerican  bird  wanders  very  far 
soutli  in  winter.  I  have  specimens  from  Santa  Marta^  Cay- 
enne, and  Bolivia.  Whitely  got  it  in  British  Guiana  in 
May,  Natterer  in  Mato-Grosso  in  November  (in  non-breeding 
dress),  and  at  Marabitanas,  Rio  Negro,  in  April,  in  full  black 
dress,  in  which  dress  are  also  two  Bolivian  skins  in  my  col- 
lection. Darwin  obtained  a  single  specimen  in  James  Island, 
Galapagos,  in  October;  and  it  is  even  said  to  have  occurred 
in  Heligoland  (Seebohm,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  165)  ! 

Genus  II.    Molothrus. 
Molothrus,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  277  (1831)  :  type  M. 

pecoris. 
Hypobletis,  Gloger,  Hand-  u.  Hilfsb.  d.  Nat.  p.  260  (1842)  : 

type  M.  pecoris. 
Callothrus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  17 :  type  M. 

(Bfieus. 
Cyanothrus,  Cassin,  op.  cit.  p.  19  :  type  M.  bonariensis. 
Ageluioides,  Cassin,  op.  cit.  p.  21  :  type  M,  badius. 

CJavis  specienan. 

A.  Unicolores  :  alis  dorso  coucoloribus, 

nigro-nitens,  capite  brunneo   (1)  pecoris. 

feneo-niteus, 

unicolor (2)  cemus. 

flavicante  perfusus   (3)  armenli. 

nigro-nitens  unicolor, 

crassitie  media (4)  bonariensis. 

crassitie  minore     (5 )  atronitens. 

crassitie  ma] ore     (6)  cassini. 

subtus  magis  pTirpurasceus (7)  purpu7'aseens. 

nigro-nitens,  macula  camjiterii  castanea (8)  rufo-axillaris. 

B.  Discolores  :  alis  extCis  rufis, 

cineraceus,  subtiis  dilutior (9)  badius. 

fuscus,  subtiis  ochracescens     {\0)  frinyillaceus. 

1.  Molothrus  pecoris. 

Trcmpiale  de  la  Caroline,  Daub.  PL  Enl.  606.  fig.  1. 
Fringill a  pecoris,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  910. 
Emberiza  pecoris,  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  ii.  p.  145,  pi.  18.  f.  1,2,  3. 

u  2 


4  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Molothrus  pecoris,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  277,  et  Phil 
Mag.  1827,  i.  p.  436  (Mexico)  ;  Bp.  Consp.  p.  436  ;  Cab.  Mus 
Heiii.  i.  p.  193;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  524;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S 
1857,  p.  213  (Mexico),  1859,  p.  365  (Vera  Cruz),  1860,  p.  252 
(Orizaba),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  13i ;  Scl,  et  Salv.  NomeucL  p.  37  ; 
Dresser,  Ibis,  1865,  p.  492  (Texas)  ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil 
1866,  p.  18;  Bairtl,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  154; 
Coues,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  90  (Arizona),  et  B.  N.  W 
p.  180. 

Molothrus  c/er.  Gray,  Hand-1.  ii.  p.  36*;  Coues,  Check-list 
(1882),  p.  62;  Uidgw^  P.  U.  S.  N.  M.  iii.  p.  182. 

Molothrus  obscurus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  18. 

Molothrus  pecoris,  var.  obscurus,  Coues,  Key,  p.  155. 

Molothrus  ater  obscurus,  Ridgw.  P.  U.  S.  N.  M.  iii.  p.  182; 

Sennett,   Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  v.  p.  396  (Rio  Grande)  ; 

Merrill,  Pr.  U.  S.  N.  M.  1879,  p.  130  (Texas). 

Niger  purpureo  micans  ;  capite  toto  imdique  cum  cervice  et 

pectore    summo    fumoso-brunneis  :    rostro    et   pedibus 

nigris  :  long,  tota  7'0,  alse  4*2,  caudse  3"2.     Fem.  Fusca 

unicolor,  subtus  paulo  dilutior. 

Hab.  N.  America  and  southwards  throughout  Mexico  to 
Oaxaca  and  Vera  Cruz. 

Mus.  S.-G.  et  P.  L.  S. 

Specimens  from  Western  Mexico  (Mazatlan,  Forrer)  are 
of  much  smaller  size,  and  have  been  separated  as  Molothrus 
obscurus  by  Cassin ;  but  examples  from  Vera  Cruz  seem  to 
be  fully,  or  very  nearly,  as  large  as  northern  birds.  Cf. 
Coues,  Key  N.  A.  B.  p.  155. 

2.  Molothrus  ^neus. 

PsarocoUus  aneus,  Wagl.  Isis,  1829,  p.  758 ;  Bp.  Consp. 
p.  426. 

Molothrus  aneus,Qdh.  Mus.  Hein.i.p.  192;  Sclater,  P.  Z.S. 
1856,  p.  300  (Cordova,  Mex.),  1859,  p.  365  (Jalapa)  et  p.  391 
(Oaxaca),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  135;  Sclat.  et  Salv.  Ibis,  1860,  p.  34 

*  Boddaert  does  not  appear  to  have  assigned  the  name  ater  to  PI.  Enl. 
006.  fig.  1,  but  merely  to  have  associated  {erroneuushj)  with  it  the  Black 
Oriole  ( Oriohis  ater)  of  Latham.     Cf.  Ihis,  1883,  p.  683. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridce.  5 

(Guatemala);  Nomencl.  p.  37;  Cassin^  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  18;  Owen,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  61  (eggs);  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1861, 
p.  81  (Costa  Rica);  Merrill,  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  CI.  1877,  p.  85 
(Rio  Grande) ;  Sennett,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geogr.  Surv.  vol.  iv.  no.  1, 
p.  23  (Rio  Grande);  Coues,  Check-list  (1882),  p.  62;  Lawr. 
Mem.  Bost.  Soc.  N.  H.  ii.  p.  281  (N.W.  Mexico). 

Molothrus  robustus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  193. 
Sericeo-viridescenti-seneus  ;  alis  caudaque  nigris,  extijs  pur- 
purascenti-violaceis  ;  subalaribus  et  subcaudalibus  pur- 
pureo  lavatis  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  8*3, 
alse  4*8,  caudie  3'4.     Fern.  Suprti  fusco-cinerea  aeneo 
obsolete  variegata,  subtiis  dilutior  :  crassitie  minore. 
Hab.  Southern  Mexico,  Yucatan,  Guatemala,  Costa  Rica, 
and  Veragua. 

Mus.  S.-G.  et  P.  L.  S. 

Dr.  Cabanis  (J.  f.  O.  1861,  p.  81)   has  recognized  his  M. 
robustus  as  the  female  of  the  present  species ;  but   I   think 
the  plumage  described  under  the  name  M.  robustus  is  pro 
bably  referable  to  the  young  male,  and  not  to  the  female 

3.  Molothrus  armenti. 

Molothrus  armenti,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  192  ;  ej.  J.  f.  O. 
1861,  p.  82;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  18. 
Similis  prsecedenti,   sed  crassitie  minore,   et  nitore    sericeo 
iiavescenti-brunneo  perfusus  :  mihi  nondum  obvius. 

Hab.    Coast-region    of  Colombia;    Cartagena    {Cabanis)  \ 
Savanilla  [Lawrence);  Demerara  [Cassin). 

Mus.  Berol.,  Acad.  Phil.,  et  G.  N.  Lawrence. 

4.  Molothrus  bonariensis. 
^Tangavio,  Daub.  PI.  Enl.  710,  unde 

"  Tanagra  bonariensis,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  898. 
^  Tordo  comun,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  275. 
-^  Icterus  sericeus,  Licht.  Doubl.  p.  19 ;    Tsch.   Faun.  Per. 
p.  225. 

'   Molothrus  sericeus,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  437 ;  Newton,  Ibis,  I860, 
p.  308 ;  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  200;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  135. 

Icterus  minor,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  &7,  pi.  63(?). 

Icterus  violaceus.  Max.  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1212. 


6  Mr.  P.  L,  Sclater  on  the 

t/Scolecophuyus  sericeus,  Sw.  An.  in  Mcuag.  p.  301. 

Molothrus  bonariensis,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein. i.  p.  1 93 ;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  140  (Arg.  rep.),  et  Nomencl.  p.  37;  Cassin, 
Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  19;  Hudson,  P.  Z.  S.  1872,  p.  809,  et 
1874,  p.  153  et  seqq.  (Buenos  Ayres) ;  Berlepsch,  Journ.  f.  Orn. 
1873,  p.  249  (Santa  Catharina)  ;  Durnford,  Ibis,  1877,  pp.  33, 
174  (Chupat);  Forbes,  Ibis,  1881,  p.  339  (Pernambuco) . 

Icterus  violaceus,  Wied,  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1212. 

Icterus  minor,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  67,  t.  Ixiii.  fig.  2  (?). 

Molothrus  niger,  Gould,  Zool.  Voy.  'Beagle,'  iii.  p.  107. 

Passerina  discolor,  Vieill.  N.  D.  d'H.  N.  xxxiv.  p.  552,  et 
Enc.  Meth.  p.  937. 

Molobrus  sericeus,  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  279,  et  La- Plata 
Eeise,  ii.  p.  494;  Sternb.  J.  f.  O.  1869,  p.  125. 
Ater,  purpureo-nitens,  unicolor,  in  alis  et  cauda  magis  seneus  ; 
rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  7*7,  alee  4*5,  caudse 
3'0.     Fern.  Fuscescenti-cinerea,  subtias  paulo  dilutior. 

Hab.  Brazil  and  southwards  throughout  Buenos  Ayres  to 
Patagonia;  Chupat  {Durnford). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

I  am  not  quite  satisfied  as  to  the  real  distinctness  of  what 
are  usually  regarded  as  the  northern  representatives  of  this 
species  [M.  atronitens,  M.  cassini,  and  M.  purpurascens) ,  but 
for  the  present  I  keep  their  synonymy  distinct. 

5.  Molothrus  atronitens. 

Molothrus  atronitens,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiau.  iii.  p.  682, 
et  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  193;  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  200;  Finsch, 
P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  576  (Trinidad)  ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  37 
(1873) ;  Berlepsch,  J.  f.  O.  1873,  p.  249. 
Similis  praecedenti,  sed  crassitie  minore :  long,  tota  7*5,  alie 
3-7,  caudse  2-8. 

Hab.  Guiana,  Venezuela,  and  Trinidad. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

6.  Molothrus  cassini. 

Molothrus  discolor,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  20; 
Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  37,  et  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  509  (Auti- 
oquia) ;   Salv.  et  Godman,  Ibis,  1880,  p.  123  (S.  Marta). 


Species  of  the  Family  Icterida3.  7 

Molothrus  cassini,  Finsch,,  P.  Z,  S.  1870,  p.  576  ;  Berlepsch, 
J.  f.  O.  1873,  p.  250. 

Molothrus  robustus,  Cab.  MS.  teste  Fiiisch,  /.  s.  c. 
Similis  M.  bonariensi,  sed  crassitie  majore  et  praesertim  alis 
longioribus    digiioscendus  :    long,    tota    8"5,    alae    5"lj 
caudse  3'9. 
Hab.    Venezuela    and    Colombia  :    Antioquia    {Salmon)  ; 
Santa  Marta  (Simons) ;  Baranquilla  (Finsch). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

7.  Molothrus  purpurascens. 

Xanthornus  purpurascens,  Halin,  Yog.  aus  Asien,  Lief.  v. 
t.4(?). 

Molothrus  purpurascens,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil,  1866, 
p.  20;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  148  (Lima);  Scl.  et  Salv. 
Nomencl.  p.  37;  Tacz.  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  523,  et  1880,  p.  200 
(Peru). 

Similis  M.  bonariensi,  sed  subtus  paulo  magis  nitens,  rostro 
crassiore  et  pedibus  fortioribus.  Fern.  Pallide  fusco- 
cinerea,  subtus  valde  dilutior  et  magis  albicans  quara  in 
fern.  M.  bonariensis. 

Hab.  Western  Peru :  Lima  {Nation)  ;  Callacate,  Peru 
{Stolzmann) . 

Mus.  P.  L.  S. 

Notwithstanding  what  Mr.  Cassin  says,  it  must  at  least 
remain  doubtful  whether  Hahn's  figure  was  really  intended 
to  represent  this  form  of  M.  bonariensis;  but  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  change  the  name.  On  examining  a  pair  of 
birds  received  from  Lima  (which  must,  I  suppose,  belong 
to  Cassin's  M.  purpurascens) ,  and  comparing  them  with  a 
series  of  M.  bonai'iensis,  I  can  find  very  little  difference 
in  the  males,  except  that  the  bill  and  feet  are  rather 
stronger.  The  female  of  M.  purpurascens  is  paler  and  more 
fuscous  above,  and  very  much  paler  and  moi'e  whitish  on  the 
lower  plumage. 

8.  Molothrus  rufo-axillaris. 

Icterus  brevirostris ,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  ii.  p,  7  (1838)  ? 
Molothrus  rufo-axillaris ,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.   Sc.  Phil.   1866, 
p.  23  ;   Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  140,  et  Xomenci.  p.  37; 


8  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Hudson,  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  161 ;  Durnford,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  174; 
White,  P.  Z.  S.  188.2,  p.  601. 

Sericeo-niger  unicolor,  purpureo  lavatus,  in  alis  caudaque 
seneo  tinctus ;  macula  axillarium  rubra ;  rostro  et  pedi- 
bus  nigris  :  long,  tota  8*0,  alse  4'5,  caudse  3"3.     Fern. 
Mari  omniuo  similis,  sed  crassitie  paulo  minore.     Avis 
jr.  Fusca,  alis  extus  rufo  limbatis. 
Hab.    Argentine    Republic  :    vicinity    of    Buenos   Ayres 
{Hudson)  ;  Catamarca  {White). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  O.-S. 

9.  MOLOTHRUS  BADIUS. 

Tordo  parclo-roxizo,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  290, 
Agelaius  badius,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  435,  et  Enc. 
Metb.  p.  711. 

Jcterns  badius,' d'Orh.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  ii.  p.  7  (Bolivia). 
Molothrus  hadius ,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  192;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B, 
p.  135  ;  Hudson,  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  163  (nesting) ;   Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  140  (Buenos  Ayres),  et  1879,  p.  608  (Bolivia), 
et  Nomencl.  p.  37;  Duruford,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  174. 

Dolichonyx  badius,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc,  Phil.  1866,  p.  15. 
Agelaius  fringillai-ius ,  Darwin,  Voy.  ^Beagle,'  Birds,  p.  107. 
Fuscescenti-cineraceus,  subtiis  dilutior ;  alis  castaneis ;  prima- 
riorum    apicibus   et   secundariorum  parte  mediali  cum 
Cauda   nigricantibus  ;    rostro  nigro  ;    pedibus   obscure 
fuscis  :  long,  tota  7'Q,  alse  3"5,  caudse  3'0.     Fem.  Mari 
similis. 
Hab.  Buenos  Ayres  and  Bolivia. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

10.  Molothrus  fringillarius. 

Icterus  frin gill arius,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  68,  t.  65  (1824). 
Molothrus  fuscipeiviiis,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  16. 
Fuscus  ;  loris  et  regione  auriculari  nigricantibus  ;  alis  extus 
rufo  limbatis ;  subtus  dilutior,  magis  ochraceus ;  cauda 
nigricante  fusco  marginata;  rostro   et  pedibus  nigris: 
long,  tota  6'8,  alse  3*5,  caudle  2'6. 
Hab.    Campos    of  Brazil :    Minas    Geraes    {Spia^) ;    Ceara 
{Cassin);  Pernambuco  {Forbes). 
Mus.  P.L.S. 

Obs.  Prsecedenti  similis,  sed  cauda  fusca  et  colore  corporis 
subtus  ochracescente  distinguendus. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  9 

The  only  specimen  of  this  interesting  bird  I  have  seen  was 
presented  to  me  by  the  late  Mr.  W.  A.  Forbes,  but  was  not,  I 
believe,  obtained  by  himself. 

Genus  III.    Cyrtotes. 

Cyrtotes,  K-eichenb.  Av.   Syst.  Nat.  t.   Ixxiii.  (1850)  :  type 
C.  mawillaris. 

1.  Cyrtotes  maxillaris. 

Icterus  maxillaris,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  ii.  p.  6;  d'Orb. 
Voy.  Ois.  p.  367,  tab.  Hi.  fig.  1 ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1879, 
p.  643. 

Molothrus  maxillaris,  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  21. 

Cyrtotes  maxillaris,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  437. 
Similis  Molothro  bonariensi,  quoad  colores,  sed,  sicut  videtur, 
rostri  forma  distinctus  :  mihi  nondum  obvius. 

Hab.  Cochabamba,  Bolivia  {d'Orb.). 

Mus.  Acad.  Philadelph. 

There  is  no  specimen  of  this  bird  in  European  collections, 
so  far  as  I  know. 

Genus  IV.   Ageljjus. 

Agelaius,  Vieillot,   Analyse,  p.   33    (1816)  :   type   A.  phoe- 

niceus. 
Ayelasticus,   Cab.   Mus.   Hein.  i.   p.   188   (1851)  :    type  A. 

thilius. 
Thilius,  Bp.   Compt.   Rend,  xxxvii.  p.  33   (1853)  :  type  A. 

thilius. 
Nesopsar,  Scl.  Ibis,  1859,  p.  456 :  type  A.  nigerrimus. 

Clavis  specierum. 

a.  Niger:  campterio  discolore, 

campterio  rubro,  ochraceo  marginato : 

fern,  striata (1)  phoeniceus. 

fern,  unicolor  nigra (2)  assimilis. 

campterio  toto  rubro    (3)  guhernatoi-. 

campterio  sanguineo,  albo  marginato     (4)  tricolor. 

campterio  flavicanti-fulvo    (5)  humeralis. 

campterio  flavissimo     (6)  xanthomtis. 

campterio  cum  subalaribus  flavis   (7)  thilius. 


10  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

h.  Niger:  fasciculo  axillari  flavo (8)  irnthurni. 

c.  Niger :  campterio  coucolore, 

Cauda  rotundata    (9)  q/anopus. 

Cauda  quadrata     (10)  nigerrimus. 

]  .    AoELiEUS  PH(E\ICEUS. 

Oriolus phoeniceus,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  161. 

Troupiale  a  ailes  rouges  de  la  Lousiane,  Daub.  PI.  Enl.  40.2. 

Agelaius  phoeniceus,  Sw.  Faun.  Bof.-Am.  ii.  p.  280;  Bp. 
Consp.  p.  430;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  526;  Baird,  Brew.,  et 
Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  159. 

Sturnus  proedatorlus,  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  iv.  p.  30,  pi.  30. 

Agel(sus phceniceus,  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  205  (Mexico), 
1859,  p.  381  (Oaxaea),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  135  ;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
Ibis,  1859,  p.  19,  et  Nomencl.  p.  37 ;  Dresser,  Ibis,  1865, 
p.  492  (Texas)  ;  Moore,  P.  Z.  S.  1859,  p.  58  (Peten) ;  Coues, 
Pr,  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  90  (Arizona)  ;  Lawrence,  Ann.  L. 
N.  Y.  ix.  p.  104  (Costa  Rica)  ;  Coues,  Key,  p.  156,  et  B. 
N.  W.  p.  186. 

Nigro-sericens,  alarum  tectricibus  minoribus  ruberrirnis, 
mediis  ocbraceis  ;  rostro  nigro  ;  pedibus  corylinis  :  long, 
tota  85,  alse  4"6,  caudse  3'5.  Fern.  Supra  nigra  albido 
et  brunneo  striata ;  superciliis  albidis ;  subtiis  ochraceo- 
albida  nigro  striata  et  punctata ;  crassitie  valde  minore. 

Hub.  North  and  Central  America  down  to  Guatemala  and 
Costa  Rica:  Nicoya  [Arce  in  Mus.  S.-G.). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

2.    AoELiEUS  ASSIMILIS. 

Agekeus  assimUis,  Gundl.  in  Lembeye,  Aves  de  Cuba,  p.  64, 
t.  9.  fig.  3  (1850)  ;  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1856,  p.  12,  1861,  pp.  332, 
413, 1862,  p.  189,  et  1874,  p.  131,  et  Boston  Journ.  N.  H.  vi. 
p.  316;  Poey,  Rep.  F.-N.  i.  p.  288  (1866). 

Agelaius  phoeniceus,  var.  assitniUs,  Coues,  B.  N.  W.  p.  186. 
Mas  similis  A.  phixmiceo,  sed  crassitie  paulo  minore.  Fon. 
Nigra  unicolor. 

Hub.  Cuba. 

Mus.  Com.  de  Berlepscb  (  ?  ). 

3.  Agel.eus  guberxator. 

Psurocolius  gnbernator,  Wagl.  Tsis,  1882,  iv.  p.  281. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  11 

Agehaus  gubernator,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  430;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am. 
p.  529;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  313  (Orizaba),  1859,  p.  365 
(Jalapa),  1864,  p.  175  (City  of  Mexico),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  135  ; 
Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  37 ;  Cooper,  Oru.  Cal.  i.  p.  263. 

Agelaius phoeniceus,  xar.  gubernator,  Baird_,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  163;  Coues,  Key,  p.  156,  et  B.  N.  W.  p.  186. 
Similis  A.  phcsniceo,  sed  maris  campterio  toto  ruberrimo. 

Hab.  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  and  south  to 
Southern  Mexico. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

4.  Agel.eus  tricolor. 

Icterus  tricolor,  Aud.  Orn.  Biogr.  v.  p.  1  (1839)  ;  Nuttall, 
Man.  i.  (2nd  edit.)  p.  186. 

Agelaius  tricolor,  Bp.  Comp.&Geogr.  List,  p.  30;  Aud.  Syn. 
p.  141  (1839),  et  Birds  Am.  iv.  p.  27,  pi.  ccxiv.  (1842)  ; 
Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.  p.  530  (1858)  ;  Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  165;  Cooper,  Orn.  Cal.  i.  p.  265  (1870). 

Agelaius  phoeniceus,  var.  tricolor,  Coues,  Key,  p.  156,  et 
B.  N.  W.  p.  187. 

Similis  A.phoeniceo,  sed  campterio  sauguineo  rubro,  infrk  albo 
aut  lactescente  albo  marginato. 

Hab,  Coast-lands  of  Southern  California. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

5.  AoELiEUS  HUMERALIS. 

Leistes  humeralis,  Vig.  Zool.  Journ.  iii.  p.  442. 
Icterus  humeralis,  d^Orb.  in  La  Sagra^s  Cuba,  Ois.  pi.  5. 
Agelceus  humeralis,  Bp.  Cons]).  p.  430;  Gundl.  J,  f.  O. 
1856,  p.  13,  1861,  p.  332,  1874,  p.  130,  et  1878,  p,  177; 
Pelzeln,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  28;  Scl.  Cat.  Am.  B.  p.  136  (1862)  ; 
Sclat.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  37  (1873)  ;  Poey,  Repert.  F.-N. 
i.  p.  288. 

Sericeo-niger,  campterio  toto  flavicanti-fulvo ;  rostro  et  pe- 
dibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  7*0,  alse  4-2,  caudae  o"2.     Fern. 
Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  campterio  nigri- 
cante  mixto. 
Hab.  Cuba. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 


12  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  07i  the 

6.  AOELiliUS  XANTHOMUS. 

Agelaius  chrysopterus,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  539,  et 
Enc.  Meth.  p.  713  (partim)  ;  Sund.  (EfV.  af  K.  Yet.  Akad. 
rorh.  1869,  p.  597;  Gimdlacli,  J.  f.  O.  1874,  p.  312,  et  1878, 
p.  177;   Scl.et  Salv.  Nomenel.  p.  37  (1873). 

Icterus  xanthomus,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  131  (1862)  ;  Taylor, 
Ibis,  1864,  p.  168;  Bryant,  Proe.  Boston  S.  N.  H.  x. 
p.  254. 

Hyphantes  xanthomus,  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1867,  p.  63. 
Nigro-sericeus,  cami)terio  fiavo;    rostro   et  pedibus   ni^^ris  : 
long,  tota  7*8,  alaj  4'2,  caudae  3-4.     Fern,  (teste  Gundl.) . 
Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  campterio  interdum 
nigricante  mixto. 

Hub.  Portorico. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

The  name  chrysopterus  cannot  be  conveniently  used  for 
this  bird,  as  under  his  Agelaius  chrysopterus  Vieillot  included 
Icterus  cayanensis  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  359),  and  apparently  also 
AgelcBus  thilius.  The  name  has  consequently  been  applied  to 
all  these  three  species. 

7.  Agel^us  thilius. 

Turdus  thilius,  Mol.  Hist.  Nat.  Chili,  p.  211. 

Tordo  negro  cobljas  aviarillas,  Azara^  Apunt.  i.  p.  301. 

Xanthomus  chrysocarpiis,  Vig.  P.  Z.  S.  1832,  p.  3. 

Agelaius  thilius,  Bp.  Cousp.  p.  431 ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomenel. 
p.  37;  Durnford^  Ibis,  1876,  p.  159  (Buenos  Ayres),  1877, 
p.  33  (Chupat),  p.  174  (Buenos  Ayres),  et  1878,  p.  394 
(Chupat)  ;  Burm.  La-Plata  Reise,  ii.  p.  493 ;  Cassin  in 
Gilliss's  U.S.  Nav.  Astr.  Exp.  ii.  p.  179,  t.  16.  fig.  1 ;  White, 
P.Z.  S.  1882,  p.  602  (Buenos  Ayres). 

Agelasticus  thilius.  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  188 ;  Sclater, 
P.  Z.  S.  1867,  p.  323  (Chili),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  136 ;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  153  (S.  Peru) ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil. 
1866,  p.  12. 

Agelaius  chrysopterus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  180. 

Cacicus  chrysocarpus.  Gay,  Hist,  de  Chile,  Zool.  p.  345. 

Xanthomus  cyanensis.  Gay,  op.  cit.  p.  346  (Chili). 

Icterus  chrysopterus,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  ii.  p.  5. 


Ibis. 1884  PI  J. 


J  G  Keidemans  lith  Hanhai-t  imp 

A&EL/^US  CYANOPUS  .1,^.2,^. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  13 

Xanthornus  chrysopterus,  Darwin,  Zool.  Voy.  '  Beagle/ 
Birds,  p.  106. 

Agel(Bus  chrysocarpus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  So.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  12. 

Niger;  campterio,  tectricibus  minoribus  et  subalaribus  flavis  : 
rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  5*5,  alse  3'6,  caudse 
2"7.     Fern.  Fusca,  nigro  striata;  superciliis  et  corpore 
subtus  fuscescenti-cineraceis,  hoc  nigricante  striate. 
Hab.  Chili,  Patagonia,  and  Buenos  Ayres,  north  to  Para- 
guay (Azara)  and  S.  Peru  {Whitely) . 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

8.  Agel^us  imthurni. 

Agelmis  imthurni,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  213  ;  Salvin  et 
Godman,  Ibis,  1883,  p.  203. 

Thilius  major,  Bp.  C.  R.  xxxvii.  p.  833  (1853)  ? 
Nigerrimus    unicolor  ;    fasciculo    plumarum    axillari    flavo  ; 
rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  10'4,  alse  5*0,  caudse 
rotundatse  rectr.  med.  4*8,  ext.  3-8.     Fern.  Mari  similis. 

Hab.  Int.  of  British  Guiana. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Since  I  described  this  species  Mr.  Whitely  has  brought 
several  specimens  home  from  the  Merume  Mountains.  Cf. 
Salvin  and  Godman,  /.  s.  c. 

9.  Agel^us  cyanopus.      (Plate  I.) 

Tordo  negro  y  vario,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  313. 
Agelaius  cyanopus,  Vieill.  N.  D.  d'H.  N.  xxxiv.  p.  552,  et 
Enc.  Meth.  p.  719  ;  Hartl.  Ind.  Azara,  p.  5  ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac. 
Se.  Phil.  1866,  p.  12  ;  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  196;   Scl.  et  Salv. 
Nomencl.  p.  37. 

Icterus  cyanopus,  d'Orb,  et  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  ii.  p.  5. 
Leistes  unicolor,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  305  (1838). 
Niger  unicolor ;    rostro   nigro ;    pedibus    (in  pelle)    obscure 
fuscis  ;  Cauda  rotundata  :  long,  tota  7'5,  alae  3*7,  caudae 
3"0.     Fern.  Supr^  fusca,  nigro  variegata;  subtiis  flavi- 
canti-f ulva  prsecipue  ad  latera  nigricante  striolata  :  caudS 
nigra;  remigibus  extiis  rufo  limbatis. 
Hab.  Southern  Brazil  and  Paraguay:  Rio  Parana  [Natt.). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 


14  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

The  figures  (Plate  I.)  are  taken  from  Natterer's  specimens 
of  both  sexes  of  this  bird  in  my  collection, 

10.    AoELiEUS  NIGERRIMUS. 

Icterus  nigerrimus,  Osburn,  in  Zoologist,  pp.  6661,  6714 
(1859). 

Nesopsar  nigerrimus,  Sclater,  Ibis,  1859,  p.  456,  et  P.  Z.  S. 
1861,  p.  74;  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  139  ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Agelaius  nigerrimus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1861,  p.  12; 
Pelzeln,  Ibis,  1873,  p.  28. 

Niger  uuicolor,  seueo  paulnm  splendens ;  rostro  et  pedibus 
nigerrimis  ;  cauda  quadrata  :  long,  tota  8*0,  alse  4*0, 
caudae  2'8,  rostri  a  fronte  1"1.  Fern.  Mari  similis,  sad 
crassitie  paulo  minore. 

Hab.  in  ins.  Jamaica. 

Mus.  Bremensi  et  P.  L.  S. 

Obs.  Sp.  a  prsecedente  rostro  elongatiore,  cauda  quadrata 
et  colore  ferainse  unicolore  diversa. 

After  reconsidering  the  question  I  am  inclined  to  agree 
with  Mr.  Cassin  that  this  species  may  be  conveniently  an- 
nexed to  Agelmts. 

Genus  V.  Xanthocephalus. 

Xanthocephalus ,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431  (1850)  :  type  X.  icte- 
rocephalus. 

1.  Xanthocephalus  longipes. 

Icterus  icterocephalus ,  Bp.  Am.  Orn.  i.  p.  27,  pi.  3  {er'r.). 

Agelceus  icterocephalus ,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  188. 

Icterus  xanthocephalus,  Bp.  Journ.  Acad.  Philad.  ii.  p.  222 
(1826). 

Agelaius  xanthocephalus,  Sw.  Faim.  Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  281 ; 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  11. 

Agelaius  longipes,  Sw.  Phil.  Mag.  1827,  i.  p.  436. 

Psarocolius  perspicillatus,  Wagl.  Isis,  1829,  vii.  p.  753. 

Xanthocephalus  per spicillatus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431. 

Xanthocephalus  icterocephalus,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  531  ; 
Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  175  (Mexico),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  136; 
Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  37  ;    Dresser,  Ibis,  1865,  p.  492 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridte.  15 

(Texas)  ;  Coues,  Key,  p.  156,  et  B.  N.  W.  p.   188;  Baird, 
Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  167 ;  Poey,  Rep.  F.-N.  i. 
p.  288  (Cuba)  ;  Cooper,  B.  Calif,  p.  267. 
Niger ;  capite  undique  (nisi  in  loris  et  regione  oculari)  cum 

pectore  superiove  flavis ;  macula  magna  alari  alba ;  rostro 

et  pedibus  nigris  :   long,  tota  9'0,  ahie  5*5,  caudse  3*8. 

Fern.  Crassitie  minore  et  pileo  nigro,  superciliis  solum 

flavis,  necnon  macula  alari  nulla  diversa. 
Hab.  Prairies  of  Western  N.  America  from  California  and 
the  Saskatchewan  to  Texas  and  S.  Mexico  :  valley  of  Mexico 
{White  and  V Estrange)  ;  Presidio,  W.  Mexico  (Forrer-) . 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

The  name  icterocephalus  was  applied  to  this  bii'd  by  Bona- 
parte in  error,  under  the  belief  that  it  was  the  Oriolus  ictero- 
cephalus of  Linnseus.  It  is  therefore  necessary  to  adopt  the 
next  oldest  name. 

Genus  VI.  Xanthosomus. 

Chrysomus,  Sw.  Class.  Birds,  ii.  p.  274  (1837)  :  type  X.  ic- 
terocephalus. 

Xatithosomus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  189  (1851)  :  type  X.  ic- 
te7'ocephahis. 

Er-ythropsar ,  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  18:  type  X 
ruficapillus. 

Clacis  specierum. 
a.  Pileo  flavo, 

corpore  subtus  nigro    (1)  icterocephalus. 

corpore  subtiis  flavo (2)Jlnvus. 

h.  Pileo  castaneo, 

clariore (.3)  frontalis. 

obscuriore (4)  ruficapillus. 

1.  Xanthosomus  icterocephalus. 

Oriolus  icterocephalus,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  163. 

Chrysomus  icterocephalus,  Sw.  Nat.  Hist.  Birds,  ii.  p.  274  • 
Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431  ;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  18;  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guian.  iii.  p.  681 ;  Leotaud,  Ois.  Trinidad,  p.  281. 

Xanthosomus  icterocephalus ,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  189 ; 
Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  136;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  182 
(Ucayali),  1867,  p.  573  (Lower  Amazons)  et  p.  978  (Pebas), 


16  Mr.  V.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

1869,  p.  .252  (Venezuela),  1873,  p.  266  (Upp.  Amazons),  et 
Nomencl.  p.  37  ;  Taylor,  Ibis,  1864,  p.  84  (Trinidad) ;  Wyatt, 
Ibis,  1871,  p.  330  (Colombia);  Pelzeln,  Orn.  Bras.  p.  197 
(Lower  Amazons). 

Leistes  icterocephalus,  Fiuscli,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  576  (Tri- 
nidad) ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  So.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14. 
Niger ;  capite  undique  (nisi  in  loris)  cum  pectore  superiore 
flavis  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  uigris  :  long,  tota  Q-7 ,  alae  3*5, 
caudse  2'9.     Fern.  Supra  nigricans,  pileo  viridescente  ; 
superciliis  et  corpore  subtils  flavicantibus,  abdomine  viri- 
descente ;  lateribus  et  crisso  fuscis. 
Hab.  Northern  S.  America  from  Colombia  throiigh  Vene- 
zuela and  Trinidad  to  the  Guianas  and  Amazonia. 
Mils.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

2.  Xanthosomus  flavus. 

Oriolus  flavus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  389. 

Tordo  cabeza  amarilla,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  299. 

Psarocolius  flaviceps,  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  Suppl.  sp.  9. 

Chrysoynus  xanthopygius,  Sw.  An,  in  Meuag.  p.-  345. 

Xanthornus  flavus,  Darw.  Zool.  Voy.  ^  Beagle,^  iii.  p.  107, 
pi.  45;   Hartl.  Incl.  Azara,  p.  5. 

Chrysomus  flavus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431 ;  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb. 
iii.  p.  267. 

Xanthosomus  flavus,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  632  (Buenos  Ayres),  et  Nomencl.  p.  37; 
Durnford,  Ibis,  1878,  p.  59. 

Icterus  flavus,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  ii.  p.  5. 

Leistes  flavus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14. 
Niger ;  uropygio  et  corpore  subtus  cum  campterio  alari  fla- 
vissimis ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  8*5,  alse 
4'2,  caudfe  3"2.     Fern.  Fusca  nigricante  striata;  super- 
ciliis, uropygio,  campterio  alari  et  corpore  subtus  flavis. 

Hab.  Paraguay,  Uruguay,  and  Argentine  Republic  :  Mal- 
donado  [Darwin) ;  Conchitas  (Hudson). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

3.  Xanthosomus  frontalis. 

Agelaius  frontalis,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  536,  etEnc. 
M^th.  p.  717  (Cayenne). 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  17 

Agelaius  ruficollis,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  302. 
Chrysomus  frontalis,  Gray  et  Mitch.  Gen.  B.  pi.  86 ;  Burm. 
Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  267;  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431. 

Xanthosomus  frontalis,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  189;  Scl. 
Cat.  A.  B.  p.  136. 

Dolichonyx  frontalis,  Cassin^  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  17. 
Dolichonyx  ruficapillus,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  199  (Parana). 
Sericeo-niger ;  pileo  circumscripto  et  gula  media  cum  pectore 
castaneis ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  7' 5,  alse 
3"7,  caudfe  2" 9.     Fern.  Fusca,  nigro  striolata,  subtiis  di- 
lutior^  in  gutture  et  pectore  magis  flavicans. 
Hab.  Cayenne  {Mus.  P,  L.  S.)  ;  Ceara  {Mus.  Acad.  Phil.) ; 
Pernambuco  and  Bahia. 
Mus.  P.L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

4.  Xanthosomus  ruficapillus. 

Tordo  corona  de  canela,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  315,  unde 

Agelaius  ruficapillus,  Nouv,  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  545,  et  Enc. 
Meth.  p.  712. 

Trupialis  ruficeps,  Merrem,  Ersch.  u.  Grub.  Enc.  xv,  p.  282 
(1826). 

Chrysomus  frontalis,  Hartl.  lud.  Azara,  p.  5  ;  Burm,  La- 
Plata  Reise,  ii.  p.  492. 

Dolichonyx  ruficapillus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  17. 

Xanthosomus  ruficapillus,  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  159 
(Conchitas),  et  Nomencl.  p.  37 ;  White,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  602. 
Similis  prsecedenti,  sed  colore  castaneo  obscuriore,  neque  ad 
pectus  extenso. 

Hab.  Paraguay  and  Argentine  Republic. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S. 


Genus  VII.  Amblyrhamphus"^. 

Amblyrhamphus,  Leach,  Zool.  Misc.  i.  p.  82  (1814)  :  type  A. 
holosericeus. 

*  In  reference  to  the  term  Xanthurnus  I  have  stated  (Ibis,  1883.  p.  353) 
that  Xanthornus  was  "  first  employed  geuericaUv  by  Scopoli  (Deliciae, 
SER.  V. — VOL.  II.  C 


18  Mr.  P.  L.  Sc'later  on  the 

Amblyrhynchus  (err.),  G.  R.  Gray,  List  of  Genera,  1840,  p.  41  : 
type  A.  holosericeus. 

1,  Amblyrhamphus  holosericeus. 

Le  Troiipiale  rouge,  Sonn.  Voy.  N.  G.  i.  p.  113. 

Xanthornus  holosericeus,  Scop.  Del,  Ins.  ii.  p.  88. 

Oriolus  ruber,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  388 ;  Lath.  Iiid.  Orn.  i.  p.  179. 

Tor  do  negro  cabeza  roxa,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  316. 

Sturnella  rubra,  Vieill.  N.  D.  xxxiv.  p.  253,  et  Euc.  Meth. 
p.  635. 

Amblijramphus  bicolor,  Leach,  Zool.  Misc.  i.  p.  82,  pi.  36 ; 
d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  i.  p.  8, 

Sturnus  pyrrhocephalus ,  Licht.  Doubl.  p.  18. 

Amblyrhamphus  ruber,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  429 ;  Burm.  Syst. 
Ueb.  iii.  p.  263,  et  La-Plata  Reise,  ii.  p.  491 ;  Darw.  Voy. 
. '  Beagle,'  Zool.  iii.  p.  109. 

Amblyrhamphus  holosericeus,  Hartl.  Syst.  Ind.  Az.  p.  5  ; 
Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  190 ;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137 ;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1869,  pp.  161,  632  (Buenos  Ayres)  ;  Hudson,  P.  Z.  S. 
1870,  p.  306;  Durnford,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  174  (Buenos  Ayres)  ; 
Gibson,  Ibis,  1880,  p.  18  (Buenos  Ayres)  ;  White,  P.  Z.  S. 
1882,  p.  602  (Buenos  Ayres). 

Sturnella  holosericea,  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  25. 

Japus  rubricainllus ,  Merrem,  Ersch.  u.  Grub.  Enc.  xv. 
p.  281. 

Niger ;  capite  undique,  collo  et  pectore  cum  tibiis  ruberrimis  ; 
rostro  et  pedibus  uigris  :  long,  tota  9'5,  ala3  4" 5,  caudse 
4"0.     Fem.  Mari  similis. 

Hab.  Argentine  Republic,  Uruguay,  and  Paraguay ;  Mal- 
donado  [Barivin);  vicinity  of  Buenos  Ayres  {Hudson,  Gibson). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

ii.  p.  88)  for  his  Xanthoi'nus  holosericeus,  and  would  therefore  be  (strictly) 
synonymous  with  Amhlyrhumpliusr 

This  is  not  correct.  I  now  find  that  Xanthonins  was  first  employed 
generically  by  Scopoli  in  1777  (Intr.  ad  Hist.  Nat.  p.  481).  No  type  is 
indicated,  but  reference  is  made  to  Browne,  who  used  the  term  in  his  '  Nat. 
Hist,  of  Jamaica,'  p.  477,  for  two  species,  which  are  apparently  Icterus 
vulgaris  and  I.  ceiicopteryx.  I  think,  therefore,  that  we  may  consider 
Xanthornus  of  Scopoli  (1777)  a  synonym  oi  Icterus  of  Brissou  (1760), 


species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  19 

Genus  VIII.  Gymnomystax. 

Gymnomystax,  Reichenb.  Av.  Syst.  Nat.  t.  Ixxiii.  (1850)  : 
type  G.  melanicterus. 

1.  Gymnomystax  melanicterus. 

Oriolus  mexicanus,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  162. 

Troupiale  jaune  a  calotte  noire  de  Cayenne,  Daub,  PL  Enl. 
533  (jr.). 

Agelaius  melanicterus,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  544,  et 
Enc.  Meth.  p.  711. 

Icterus  citrinus,  Spixj  Av.  Bras.  i.  p,  69^  pi.  66. 

Psarocolius  gymnops,  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  sp.  14. 

Gtjmnomystax  mexicanus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  431. 

Gymnomystax  melanicterus,  Cab.Mus.  Hein.  i.p.  189;  Burm. 
Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  266;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  182,  1873,  p.  267  (Ucayali),  et  Nomencl. 
p.  37. 

Pseudoleistes  melanicterus ,  Finscli,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  575 
(Trinidad)  ;  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  197  (Para). 

Leistes  melanicterus,  Cassiu,  Proc.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  13. 

Flavissimus ;  interscapulio  et  dorso  iuferiore  cum  alis  et  cauda 
nigris  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  9'5,  alse  5'0, 
caudse  4'3.  Fern.  Mari  similis.  Jr.  Pileo  medio  nigro 
insignis. 

Hab.  Cayenne  and  Amazonia:  Para  (N^att.) ;  Yquitos, 
Peru  {Whitely). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Genus  IX.  Pseudoleistes. 
Pseudoleistes,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137  (1862)  :  type  P.  viridis. 

C'lavis  speciermn. 

Supra  uigTicanti-olivaceus, 

dorso  postico  tlavo      (1)  viridis. 

dorso  postico  concolore (2)  virescens. 

1.  Pseudoleistes  viridis. 

Oriolus  viridis,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  395. 

c  2 


20  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  oti  the 

El  Guirahuro,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  290. 

Agelaius  guirahuro,Yiei]l.  Nouv,  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  545,  et  Enc. 
Metli.  p.  717. 

Icterus  guirahuro,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  ii.  p.  4. 

Icterus  dominicensis,  Liclit.  Doubl.  p.  19. 

Leistes  suchii,  Vig.  Zool.  Joiirn.  ii.  p.  192,  pi.  suppl.  10. 

Xanthornus  gasqueti,  Q.  et  G.  Voy.  Uran.  Zool.  p.  110, 
pi.  24. 

Leistes  oriolides,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  303. 

Leistes  viridis,  Hartl.  Syst.  Ind.  Azara^  p.  5  ;  Bp.  Consp.  i. 
p.  436;  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  189;  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii. 
p.  264;  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14. 

Pseudoleistes  viridis,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
Nomencl.  p.  37;  Pelzeln,  Orn.  Bras.  p.  198;  Reinhardt, 
Fuglef.  Bras.  Camp.  p.  205. 

Icterus  atro-olivaceus,  Wied,  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1216. 
Suprk  nigricanti-olivaceus,  dorso  postico  et  tcctricibiis  alarum 
minoribus  flavis ;  subtiis  flavus,  gutture  et  pectore  nigri- 
canti-olivaceis  dorso  concoloribus  ;  rostro  et  pedibus 
nigris  :  long,  tota  9*5,  alae  5*0,  caudse  4*0.  Fem.  Mari 
similis. 

Hab.  Southern  Brazil,  San  Paulo  (Natt.)  ;  Minas  {Lund)  ; 
Corrientes  (d'Orb.) ;  Paraguay  {Azara). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S. 

2.  Pseudoleistes  virescens. 

El  Dragon,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  296. 

Agelaius  virescens,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  543,  et  Enc. 
Meth.  p.  716. 

Leistes  virescens,  Hartl.  Syst.  Ind.  Az.  p.  5 ;  Cab.  Mus. 
Hein.  i.  p.  190;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  15. 

Icterus  virescens,  d^Orb.  et  Lafr.  Syn.  Av.  i.  p.  4. 

Icterus  anticus,  Lieht.  Doubl.  p.  19. 

Leistes  anticus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  436 ;  Darwin,  Zool. 
^  Beagle,^  iii.  p.  107;  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  265. 

Pseudoleistes  virescetis,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  137  ;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  140  (Buenos  Ayres),  et  Nomencl.  p.  37; 
Hudson,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  549,  et  1874,  p.  156;  Lee,  Ibis, 
1873,  p.  132  (Buenos  Ayres) ;  Durnford,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  175, 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridee.  21 

et  1878,  p.  59  (Buenos  Ayres) ;  Gibson,  Ibis,  1880,  p.  31 ; 
White,  P.  Z.  S.  1882,  p.  602  (Punta  Lara). 
Nigricanti-olivaceus ;   tectricibus  alarum  minoribus,  subala- 
ribus  et  abdomine  medio  flavis  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  : 
long,  tota  9"5,  alse  4'6,  caudse  3'8.     Fem.  Mari  similis. 
Hab.  Southern  Brazil,  Rio  Grande  do  Sul  {Rogers  in  Mus. 
S.-G.),  Uruguay  and  Argentine  Republic. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Genus  X.  Cur^us. 
Curaus,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  139  (1862)  :  type  C.  aterrimus. 

1.    CUR^US  ATERRIMUS. 

Turdus  curaus,  Mol.  Hist.  Nat.  Chili,  p.  211. 

Sturnus  aterrimus,  Kittl.  Mem.  Ac.  St.  Pet.  1834,  p.  467, 
pi.  2. 

Leistes  niger,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  304  (1838). 

Leistes  curcBus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  190  ;  Cass.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc. 
Phil.  1866,  p.  15. 

Psarocolius  curaus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  425     Cassin,  Gilliss^s 
Exp.  ii.  p.  178,  pi.  XX. 

CurcBus  aterrimus,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  139,  et  Ibis,  1869, 
p.  283  (Cape  Negro,  Patagonia). 

Niger  unicolor ;  capitis  plumis  lanceolatis,  angustatis ;  rostro 
et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  11*0,  alee  5'4,  caudse  4'5. 

Hab.  Chili    and   Western   Patagonia  down   to   Magellan 
Straits. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S. 

Genus  XI.  Leistes. 
Leistes,  Sw.  Zool.  Journ.  ii.  p.  191  (1826)  :  type  L.guianensis. 

Clavis  specierum. 

Linea  superciliari  nulla    (1)  guianensis. 

Linea  superciliari  rufa (2)  superdliaria. 

1.  Leistes  guianensis. 

Oriolus  guianensis  et  Tanagra  militaris,  Linn.    S.    N.   i. 
pp.  162,  316. 


22  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Orioliis  americanus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  386. 
Agelaius  militaris,  Vieill.  Gal.  Ois.  ii.  p.  128,  pi.  88. 
Trupialis  guianensis,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  430 ;  Burm.  Syst.Ueb. 
iii.  p.  260. 

Pedoti'ibes  guianensis,  Cab.  Mus.  Heiu.  i.  p.  191. 
Leistes  guianensis,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  19  (Bogota)  et 
p.  265  (Santarem),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  138;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S. 
1867,  p.  573  (Para)  et  p.  750  (Xeberos),  1869,  p.  252  (Vene- 
zuela), 1873,  p.  267  (Xeberos),  et  Nomencl.  p.  38;  Salvin, 
P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  191  (Veragiia)  ;  Finsch,  P.  Z.  S.  1870  (Tri- 
nidad) ;  Taylor,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  84*  (Trinidad)  ;  Layard,  Ibis, 
1873,  p.  381  (Para). 

Leistes  militaris,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14. 
Leistes  erythrothorax,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  i.  p.  197  (1871)  ; 
Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomeucl.  p.  38. 

Fuscescenti-niger ;  camptcrio  alari  et  corpore  medio  subttis 
a  mento  ad  medium .  ventrem  coccineis ;    rostro  nigro, 
pedibus  clare  brunneis  :  long,  tota  6*5,  alae  3'2,  caudge 
2'3.     Fern.  Sujarci  cervina,  nigro  variegata,  subtiis  cer- 
vina    coccineo   tincta ;    lateribus    et  ventre    imo    nigro 
striatis. 
Hob.  Veragua  and  southwards  over  Colombia,  Venezuela, 
Trinidad,  Guiana,  and  Amazonia. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Typical  examples  of  Leistes  erythrothorax  of  Pelzeln  in  my 
collection  (obtained  by  Natterer  on  the  Rio  Madeira  in  1829) 
scarcely  differ  from  Guianan  skins,  except  in  slightly  larger 
dimensions.     I  do  not  think  them  fairly  separable. 

2.  Leistes  superciliaris. 

Tordo  degollado  tercero,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  309. 

Leistes  americanus,  Hartl.  Syst.  Ind.  Az.  p.  5. 

Trupialis  superciliaris,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  430. 

Leistes  superciliaris,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  138;  Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  140  (rep.  Arg.),  1879,  p.  608  (Bolivia), 
et  Nomencl.  p.  38;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14; 
Hudson,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  333  (rep.  Arg.)  ;  White,  P.  Z.  S. 
1882,  p.  602  (rep.  Arg.)  ;  Duruford.  Ibis,  1877,  p.  175 
(Buenos  Ayres) ;  Forbes,  Ibis,  1881,  p.  339  (Pernambuco) . 


species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  23 

Fuscescenti-niger,  superciliis  pallide  fuscis  ;  campterio  alari 
et  corpore  medio  subttis  a  meuto  ad  medium  ventrem 
coccineis ;  rostro  corneo  ;  pedibus  clare  bruniieis  :  long, 
tota  7'Oj  alae  4"0,  caudse  2"5.  Fem.  Pallide  fusca^,  supr^ 
nigro  variegata^  subtiis  coccineo  tincta;  ventre  imo  et 
lateribus  nigro  striatis. 
Hab.  Argentine  Republic^  Bolivia^  and  Brazil  north  to 
Pernambuco. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Mr.  Forbes's  skins  from  Pernambuco  belong  decidedly  to 
this  species,  which  Mr.  Cassin  has  already  recorded  as  found 
at  Ceara,  North  Brazil  (Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  14). 


Genus  XII.  Trupialis. 

Trupialis,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  429  (1850)  :  t^'pe  T.  militaris. 
Pezites,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i,  p.  191  (1851)  :  type  T.  militaris.     y 

Clavis  specierum. 

Subalaribus  albis :  rostro  loiigiore (1)  militaris. 

„  „       rostro  breviore (2)  bellicosa. 

Subalaribus  nigris    (3)  deJUippii. 

1.  Trupialis  militaris, 

Sturnus  militaris,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  291. 

Sturnus  loyca,  Mol.  Chil.  p.  225;  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  304; 
Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  i.  p.  235. 

Magellanic  Stare,  Lath.  G.  H.  v.  p.  8. 

Sturnella  militaris,  Vieill.  Enc.  Meth.  p.  635 ;  Gould^ 
P.  Z.  S.  1859,  p.  94;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  385  (Falk- 
lands)  ;  Abbott,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  153  (Falklands)  ;  Cassin,  Pr. 
Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  21;  Sel.  P.  Z.  S.  1867,  p.  323  (Chili), 
1868,  p.  529  (Falklands)  ;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  138 ;  Hudson, 
P.  Z.  S.  1872,  p.  548  (rep.  Arg.) ;  Durnford,  Ibis,  1877,  p.  33, 
et  1878,  p.  394  (Chupat). 

Pezites  loyca,  Cab,  Mus.  Hein,  i.  p.*191. 

Trupialis  militaris,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  429. 
Nigra,  fusco  striata  et  variegata ;  superciliis  elongatis  albis ; 
loris,  campterio  alari  et  corpore  medio  subtus  ad  medium 
ventrem  coccineis;  rostro  corneo;  pedibus  saturate  fuscis; 


24  Mr.  P.  L.  Selater  on  the 

subalaribus  albis  :  long,  tota  \00,  alse  4*7,  caudas  3-6. 

Fern.  Mari  similis_,  sed  corpore  medio  subtus  pallide  isa- 

bellino_,  coccineo  vix  tincto. 
Hab.  Chili,  Patagonia,  and  Falkland  Islands. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

2.  Trupialis  bellicosa. 
Trupialis  loyca,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  429. 

Pezites  brevirostris,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  191  (1851). 

Sturnella  bellicosa,  De  Filippi,  Cat.  Mus.  Mediol,  p.  32 
(1846) ;  Selater,  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  pp.  455,  552,  et  1860,  p.  277 
(Ecuador),  1869,  p.  147  (Lima),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  138;  Scl. 
et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38,  et  P.  Z.  S.  1867,  p.  985  (Arequipa), 
1868,  p.  569  (Peru)  ;  Tacz.  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  523  (Lima). 

Sturnella  loyca,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  25. 

Leistes  albipes,  Wiegm.  Arch.  f.  N.  1863,  pt.  1,  p.  128. 
Similis  prsecedenti,  sed  rostro  breviore,  pectore  coccineo  non 
ad  medium  ventrem  descendente  et  pedibus  pallidis  dis- 
tinguenda. 

Hab.  Western  Ecuador  and  Peru:  Arequipa  [Whitely); 
Island  of  Puna  [Buckley) . 

Mm.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

3.  Trupialis  defilippii. 

Trupialis  defilippii,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  429. 

Sturnella  militaris,  De  Filippi,  Cat.  Mus.  Mediol.  p.  32. 

Trupialis  tnilitaris,  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  261,  et  Burm. 
La-Plata  Reise,  ii.  p.  490. 

Pezites  militains,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  191. 

Sturnella  defilippii,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  138 ;   Scl.  et  Salv. 
P.  Z.  S.  1869,  p.  161  (rep.  Arg.),  et  Nomencl.  p.  38. 
Similis  T.  militari,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  subalaribus  nigris 
distingueuda. 

Hab.  Argentine  Republic. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Genus  XIII.   Sturnella. 

Sturnella,  Vieill.  Analyse,  p.  34  (1816)  :  type  5f.  ludoviciana. 
Pedopsuris,  Gloger,  Handb.  p.  292  (1842) :  type  S.  ludoviciana. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  25 

1.  Sturnella  ludoviciana. 

Sturnus  ludovicianus,  Linn.  S,  N,  i.  p.  290. 

Cacicus  alaudariiis,  Daud.  Tr.  d'Orn.  ii.  p.  325  (1800). 

Sturnella  ludoviciana,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  282 ;  Bp. 
Consp.  p.  429;  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  192;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B. 
p.  139;  Ibis,  1861,  p.  178;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38; 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  23. 

Alauda  magna,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  167;  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  iii. 
p.  20,  pi.  191. 

Sturnella  magna,  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  535 ;  Coues,  Key, 
p.  157,  et  B.  N.  W.  p.  190  ;  Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  B.  N.  A. 
ii.  p.  174. 

Sturnella  collaris,  Vieill.  Gal.  Ois.  i.  p.  134,  pi.  90. 
Fuscescenti-cervina,  nigro  variegata  et  transfasciolata ;  loris, 
campterio  alari  et  corpore  medio  subtus  flavis;  torque 
gutturali  lato  nigro ;  lateribus  cervinis  nigro  striatis ; 
rostro  plumbeo,  subtiis  ad  basin  pallidiore  ;  pedibus  pal- 
lida corneis  :  long,  tota  9'5,  alae  5"0,  caudse  3"0.  Fern. 
Mari  similis. 

Hah.  Eastern  States  of  N.  America. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

This  is  one  of  the  cases  in  which  I  think  we  may  conve- 
niently adopt  a  third  term  to  express  the  slight  local  varia- 
tions of  size  and  plumage  exhibited  by  specimens  from 
different  parts  of  the  wide  area  over  which  Sturnella  is  dis- 
tributed. 

1«.  Sturnella  ludoviciana  neglecta. 

Sturnella  neglecta,  Aud.  B.  Am.  vii.  p.  339,  t.  487  (1843); 
Sclater,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  179;  Dresser,  Ibis,  1865,  p.  492  (Texas) ; 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  24;  Cooper,  B.  Cal.  p.  270. 

Sturnella  magna,  var.  neglecta,  Coues,  Key,  p.  157,  et  B. 
N.  W.  p.  190;  Baird,  Brew,  et  Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  176. 
Simillima    St.   ludovicianoi,    sed    colore    pallidiore    et,   sicut 
dicitur,  voce  omnino  diversa  ! 

Hab.  Western  States  of  N.  America. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

\b.  Sturnella  ludoviciana  hippocrepis. 

Sturnella  hippocrepis,  Wagl.  Isis,  1832,  p.  281 ;  Lawr.  Ana. 


26  On  the  Species  of  the  Family  Tcteridse. 

Lye.  N.  Y.  vii.  p.  266  (1860)  ;  Sclater,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  179,  et 

Cat.  A.  B.  p.  139 ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  139 ;  Cassin, 

Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  24;  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1856,  p.  14, 

1861,  pp.  332,  413,  1862,  p.  189, 1871,  p.  276,  1874,  p.  133. 

Sturnella  ludoviciana,  var.   hippocrepis,   Baird,   Brew.,  et 

Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  172. 

Similis  St.  ludoviciance,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  torque  pec- 
toris angustiore  diversa. 

Hab.  Cuba. 

Mus.  S.-G. 

IC.    StURNELLA  LUDOVICIANA  MEXICANA. 

Sturnella  hippocrepis,  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  pp.  30,  301, 
et  1859,  pp.  58,  365,  381 ;  Sclat.  et  Salv.  Ibis,  1859,  p.  19, 
et  1860,  p.  34  (Guatemala). 

Sturnella  mexicana,  Sclater,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  179,  Cat.  A.  B. 
p.  139,  et  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  175  (Mexico)  ;  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye. 
N.  Y.  viii.  p.  176  (Veragua). 

Sturnella  ludoviciana,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1846,  p.  142  [David)  ; 
Salvin,  P.  Z.  S  1867,  p.  142  (Veragua)  ;  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye. 
N.  Y.  ix.  p.  104  (Costa  Bica). 

Sturnella  magna,  var.  mexicana,  Baird,   Brew.,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  172;  Coues,  B.  N.  W.  p.  190. 
Similis  S.  ludoviciance ,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  torque  pecto- 
ral! angusto  distinguenda. 

Hab.  Mexico  and  Central  America  down  to  Veragua. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

1  d.  Sturnella  ludoviciana  meridionalis. 

Sturnella  meridionalis,  Sclater,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  179,  et  Cat. 
A.  B.  p.  139;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  167  (Venezuela)  ; 
Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  p.  198  (Rio  Brancho)  ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc. 
Phil.  1866,  p.  24. 

Sturnella  ludoviciana,  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1856,  p.  29  (Bogota) ; 
Salv.  et  Godm.  Ibis,  1879,  p.  201  (Santa  Marta). 

Sturnella  hippocrepis,  Finsch,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  575  (Tri- 
nidad) . 

Sturnella  mexicana,  Lawr.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  iii.  p.  177 
(Colombia) . 


Ib,s;iS84^Plll. 


r 


l.l\iclawAv  del.J.Smib  litli . 


CARP  ODE  CTES  ANTOTTffi^c?. 


Hanliai'b  imp. 


On  a  tiew  Carpodectes  from  Costa  Rica.  27 

Sturnella  magna,  var.  meridionalis,  Baird,  Brew.^,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  172;  Coues,  B.  K  W.  p.  191. 
Similis  St.  ludoviciance  et  crassitie  sequali^  sed  torque  pecto- 
ral! angusto. 

Hab.  Llanos  of  Venezuela,  Guiana,  and  Amazonia  :  Sierra 
Nevada  of  St.  Marta  {Simons) ;  Caripe,  Venezuela  [Goering); 
Roraima  Mountains  {Whitely)  ;  Rio  Brancho  {Natterer). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 


II. — On  a  new  Carpodectes /rom  South-western  Costa  Rica. 
By  Robert  Ridgway. 

(Plate  II.) 

The  subject  of  the  following  description  and  accompanying 
Plate  was  received  recently  at  the  U.S.  National  Museum 
along  with  a  small  but  very  interesting  collection  of  birds 
sent  by  Sr.  Don  Jose  C.  Zeledon,  of  San  Jose,  already  known 
to  science  as  an  accomplished  ornithologist  and  the  author 
of  a  recent  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Costa  Rica"^. 

Carpodectes  antoni^.     (Plate  II.) 

Carpodectes  antonice,  Zeledon,  MS. 

Adidt  S  (No.  91832,  Pirris,  May  1883;  Juan  Zeledon 
collector).  Similar  to  C.  nitidus,  but  rather  smaller,  the  bill 
mostly  bright  yellow,  the  wings  wholly  pure  white,  and 
crown  much  paler  pearl-blue.  Plumage  pure  white,  except 
the  forehead  and  crown  (which  are  pale  pearl-blue  or  glau- 
cous), and  back,  scapulars,  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  tail 
(which  are  of  a  more  delicate  shade  of  the  same) .  Bill  clear 
lemon-yellow  (''^  wax- yellow  "  in  fresh  specimens),  with  a  dis- 
tinctly marked  black  stripe  along  the  culmen ;  "  iris  dark ; 
feet  black.^'  Wings  5-40  inches,  tail  2"60,  culmen  -70,  tarsus 
•90,  middle  toe  '80. 

This  lovely  species  much  resembles  C.  nitidus,  except  as 

*  'Catalogo  de  las  Aves  de  Costa-Rica/  por  Jos(5  0.  Zeledon.  San 
Jos6,  Costa  Rica.  Junio  1882.  Imprenta  Nacional.  8vo,  pp.  39.  (701 
species.) 


28  Dr.  G.  Hartlaub  on  a  new 

pointed  out  above,  but  is  clearly  distinct.  Mr.  Zeledou's 
notes  respecting  it  are  as  follows  : — 

"You  will  be  agreeably  surprised  to  learn  that  I  have 
made  a  most  unexpected  discovery  in  the  shape  of  a  new 
Carpodectes.  The  bird  is  snowy  white,  except  on  the  back 
and  top  of  the  head,  where  a  faint  wash  of  grey  is  to  be  seen, 
all  the  back  of  the  neck  being  pure  white,  like  the  rest  of 
the  body.  No  traces  of  the  grey  tinge  are  present  on  any 
other  part  of  the  plumage.  The  bill  is  somewhat  smaller, 
less  swollen,  and  more  curved  than  in  C.  n'lticlus,  and  of  a 
yellow  colour,  with  a  black  line  along  the  culmen  to  the 
very  tip ;  the  feet  are  black,  not  plumbeous,  as  in  the  latter 
species ;  the  dimensions  are  pretty  much  the  same,  excepting 
that  the  tail  is  rather  shorter  than  in  C.  nitidus. 

"There  is  but  one  specimen  in  my  possession,  which  was 
obtained  by  my  brother  Juan  at  Pirris,  on  the  south-western 
side  of  Costa  Rica.  It  is  a  fine  adult  male,  and  was  pro- 
cured in  May  last. 

"  C  nitidus  has  been  obtained  only  on  the  eastern  side 
of  the  country ;  I  am  inclined  therefore  to  believe  that  the 
present  species  is  the  western  representative  of  the  genus. 

"I  have  named  this  charming  bird  Carpodectes  antonice, 
after  a  dear  sister  whose  death  I  mourn." 


III. —  Oti  a  new  Species  of  Wryneck,  discovered  in  Eastern 
Equatorial  Africa  by  Dr.  Emin  Bey.     By  Dr.  G.  Hartlaub. 

(Plate  III.) 

I  HAVE  the  pleasure  of  introducing  to  my  brother  ornitho- 
logists a  new  species  of  the  restricted  genus  hjnx,  lately 
discovered  by  my  excellent  correspondent  Dr.  Emin  Bey, 
which  I  propose  to  call 

Iynx  pulchricollis,  sp.  nov.      (Plate  III.) 

Supra  in  fundo  griseo-rufescente  maculis  rarioribiis,  minutis, 

plus  minusve  triangularibus,  postice  cano  margin atis,  in 

collo    postico    fasciara    longitudinalem    irregularemque 

formantibus  nigris  ornata;  pileo  eodem  modo  fasciatim 


Ibis.  1884. PI  Iir. 


J  G-Keulemans  Kkh . 


lYNX  PULCHRICOLLTS. 


HanKart  imp. 


Hl\V  vork. 


species  of  IVry neck  from  Equatorial  Africa.  29 

maculato ;  regione  parotica  dilute  rufa ;  tectricibus  ala- 
rum remigibusque  tertiariis  dorso  concoloribus,  primariis 
in  pogonio  exteruo  nigro  rufoque  fasciatis^  in  interno  ni- 
gris,  dimidio  basali  ex  parte  rufo,  nigricante  subfasciato ; 
mentOj  gutture,  capitis  collique  lateribus  pulchi^e  albo 
nigroque  fasciatis  ;  macula  suprapectorali  minore  intense 
rufa  ;  subcaudalibus  laete  rufis ;  subalaribus  fulvis ;  ab- 
domine  subflavescenti-albido,  confertim  nigro  striato ; 
Cauda  rufescenti-brunnea^  fasciis  subangustis  7-8  nigris ; 
uropygio  et  supracaudalibus  dorso  coucoloribus,  pulchre 
maculatis;  rostro  plumbeo-nigricante ;  pedibus  plumbeis. 
Long.  tot.  circa  210  millim^  culmen  16,  alae  94,  caudse 
72,  tarsi  20. 

lynx  pulchricoUis  belongs  to  a  singular  little  group  of 
African  Wrynecks,  of  whicli  two  other  species  of  very  similar 
appearance  are  known,  /.  pectoralis,  Vig.,  from  South  Africa, 
and  /.  (Equatorialis ,  Riipp.,  from  Abyssinia  and  Shoa.  Both 
are  rare  in  museums ;  but  of  the  latter  species  there  is  a  very 
fine  male  in  the  Bremen  collection,  and  specimens  of  both 
sexes  of  /.  pectoralis  are  in  the  Berlin  Museum  [Krebs,  Caf- 
fraria),  where  I  have  compared  them  with  my  new  species. 

As  to  /.  (Equatorialis  it  will  suffice  to  remark  that  the 
great  extent  of  the  rufous  colour  on  the  underparts,  reaching 
from  the  chin  to  the  abdomen,  is  quite  sufficient  to  distin- 
guish it  from  the  new  /.  pulchricoUis.  Much  nearer  to  it 
comes  I.  pectoralis.  The  principal  differential  characters 
between  these  two  species  are  the  following  : — (1)  In  /.  pec- 
toralis the  rufous  guttural  spot,  in  a  gradually  narrowing 
stripe,  runs  up  to  the  chin,  whereas  in  /.  pulchricoUis  the 
whole  fore  neck  (including  the  chin)  shows  very  regular  black 
and  white  fasciae.  (2)  The  under  tail-coverts  are  deep  rufous 
in  /.  pulchricoUis  and  light  fulvous  in  I.  pectoralis.  (3)  The 
stripes  on  the  abdomen  are  much  broader  and  somewhat 
shorter  in  I.  pulchricoUis.  (4)  The  beak  is  more  slender  and 
the  culmen  more  curved  in  the  latter  species.  (5)  The  bars 
of  the  tail  are  broader  and  much  better  defined  in  /.  pulchri- 
coUis than  in  I.  pectoralis.  (6)  The  markings  of  the  uro- 
pygium  and  the  upper  tail-coverts,  nearly  obsolete  in  /.  pec- 
toralis, are  very  elegant  and  conspicuous  iu  /.  pulchricoUis. 


30  Mr.  H.  Seebohm's  Contributions 

(7)  The  form  of  the  tail-feathers  is  different  in  the  two 
species,  these  being  much  broader  and  more  obtusely  rounded 
at  the  tips  in  /.  pulchricollis.  (8)  In  /.  pectoralis  all  the 
greater  quills  have  very  distinct  and  regular  rufous  spots  or 
bars  on  their  inner  webs  ;  in  /.  pulchricollis  these  spots  are 
confined  to  the  first  quill ;  in  the  others  the  inner  web  is  of 
a  nearly  uniform  light  rufous  on  its  basal  half,  the  bars  being 
almost  obsolete.  (9)  /.  pulchricollis  is  altogether  the  larger 
bird. 

There  is  no  difference  in  the  colour  of  the  sexes  of  this 
species. 

Dr.  Emin  Bey  discovered  this  interesting  bird  in  one  of 
his  excursions  east  of  the  Bar-el-Djebel.  "  All  round  Babira/' 
he  writes,  '^  there  is  much  cultivated  ground,  interspersed 
with  groups  of  trees  and  fine  park-like  scenery.  Here  it 
was  that  this  Wryneck,  a  pair  of  which  I  send,  was  observed 
early  in  the  morning  searching  for  ants.  The  birds  are  rather 
clumsy  in  their  movements,  awkwardly  hopping  about.  They 
fly  short  distances  only,  the  flight  being  undulatory.  The 
note  of  the  male  is  a  repeated  dii-i,  which  is  answered  by  the 
female.  They  keep  much  on  the  ground.  In  rising  they 
utter  a  sharp  zick.     Rare." 


IV. — Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 

I  AM  indebted  to  Capt.  Blakiston  for  an  opportunity  of  ex- 
amining a  case  of  birds  from  Japan  containing  some  examples 
of  very  great  interest.  The  order  in  which  the  species  are 
placed  in  the  subjoined  notes  upon  this  collection  is  that 
adopted  by  Messrs.  Blakiston  and  Pryer  in  their  article  on 
the  birds  of  Japan  (Ibis,  1878,  p.  209). 

Brachyrhampus  marmoratus. 

A  skin  sent  (No.  1269),  labelled  "(^,  Hakodadi,  May,'' 
appears  to  belong  to  this  species.  Its  short  tarsus,  much 
shorter  than  the  middle  toe,  and  blackish  plumage,  marbled 


iilmen. 

Tarsus. 

and  claw. 

1-5 

•8 

1-36 

1-35 

•7 

1-2 

to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  31 

with  huffish  chestnut  on  the  ujaper  parts  and  with  white  on 
the  underparts,  distinguish  it  from  its  allies.  It  is^  however, 
very  large,  as  the  following  comparison  of  measurements 
shows,  and  may  possibly  prove  to  belong  to  a  new  species  : — 

Mid.  toe 
Wing.  Tail. 

Hakodadi 5-75  1-7 

B.marmoratus  {Qoixes)     5-00  1'5 

Brack YRHAMPUs  wrangeli. 

An  example  in  the  Swiuhoe  collection  labelled  "  No.  1357, 
Hakodadi,  ?  ,  May/^  was  identified  by  Swinhoe  (Ibis,  1875, 
p.  458)  with  B.  kittlitzi  of  Brandt.  It  measures — wing  5*25, 
tail  l*^,  culmen  1*3,  tarsus  '7,  middle  toe  and  claw  1*3 
inch.  The  upper  parts  are  grey,  most  of  the  feathers  tipped 
with  pale  grey,  but  many  of  them  are  dark  brown  with 
rufous  tips.  The  underparts  are  very  white,  most  of  the 
feathers,  especially  on  the  breast  and  flanks,  have  dark  brown 
tips.  The  under  wing-coverts  are  nearly  white.  This  spe- 
cimen cannot  be  the  adult  of  any  of  the  species  enumerated 
by  Coues,  since  both  the  species  mentioned  by  him  as  having 
short  tarsi  are  said  to  have  the  under  wing-coverts  dusky 
brown. 

A  skin  sent,  labelled  "  No.  1918,  Hakodadi,  ?  ,  Nov.," 
appears  to  be  almost  adult.  The  measurements  agree  with 
those  of  the  last-mentioned  skin,  excejjt  that  the  culmen 
measures  1"4.  The  upper  parts  are  nearly  uniform  greyish 
brown,  with  much  white  on  the  scapulars.  The  underparts 
are  white,  except  the  flanks  and  axillaries,  which  are  grey, 
and  the  inner  wing-coverts,  which  are  mottled  grey  and  white. 
Probably  the  next  moult  would  have  brought  it  to  the  plumage 
described  as  B.  wrangeli. 

SiMORHYNCHUS  PYGM/EUS. 

The  skin  sent  from  Hakodadi  (No.  3255)  agrees  fairly 
well  with  Coues's  S.  microceros,  and  another  (No.  2291)  from 
the  same  locality  with  the  S.  pusillus  of  the  same  author. 
Probably,  as  Dr.  Coues  suggests,  the  latter  is  the  young  of 
the  former,  in  which  case  he  is  of  opinion  that  Gmelin's 
name  ought  to  be  used. 


32  Mr.  H.  Seebohm's  Contributions 

COLYMBUS  ADAMSI. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3256)  is  an  immature  example  of  this 
species  from  Hakodadi,  with  a  nearly  white  bill.  A  fine 
adult  male  was  lately  to  be  seen  in  the  Fisheries  Exhibition, 
collected  by  Baron  Nordenskiold  in  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

Anser  cygnoides. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3217)  from  Yokohama  is  correctly 
identified. 

Anser  hyperboreus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3246)  from  Yokohama  is  correctly 
identified,  the  wing  measuring  17|  inches. 

Bernicla  brenta. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3239)  from  Yokohama  belongs  to  the 
form  of  the  Brent  Goose  (var.  nigricans)  with  the  black  of 
the  breast  extending  to  the  belly,  and  the  white  on  the  neck 
almost  in  a  complete  ring. 

Sterna  sinensis. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3241)  from  Yokohama  belongs  to  this 
species,  which  is  new  to  Japan.  The  shafts  of  the  primaries 
are  white. 

Larus  borealis. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2787)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  is  an 
example  of  the  Arctic  Ilerring-Gull,  originally  described  * 
by  Brandt  from  Siberia,  and  afterwards  by  Reinhardt  from 
Greenland. 

Larus  tridactylus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2742)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  is  cor- 
rectly identified. 

Stercorarius  crepidatus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2696)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  belongs 
to  this  species. 

Stercorarius  pomatorhinus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1637)  from  Tokio  Bay  is  an  immature 
example  of  this  species,  which  is  new  to  Japan. 

*  [Where  is  this  original  description  published  ? — Edd.] 


to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  '  33 

Attagen  minor. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2751)  from  Hakodadi  is  correctly 
identified^  the  length  of  wing  being  21  inches. 

Procellaria  leucorrhoa. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2748)  from  Yezo  is  correctly  identified. 

Procellaria  furcata. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1819)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  is  cor- 
rectly identified. 

PUPFINUS  GRISEUS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2695)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  belongs 
to  this  species. 

Terekia  cinerea. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2793)  from  Yokohama  is  correctly 
identified. 

Tringa  platyrhyncha. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1486)  from  Hakodadi  is  correctly 
identified.  Dresser  is,  I  believe,  in  error  in  supposing  that 
the  East-Siberian  bird  diff'ers  from  that  o£  Europe. 

Machetes  pugnax. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1869)  from  Hakodadi  is  correctly 
identified. 

Phalaropus  fulicarius. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2700)  from  the  Kurile  Islands  is  cor- 
rectly identified. 

SCOLOPAX  NILSONI. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1503)  from  Hakodadi  may  belong  to 
this  species,  which  has  previously  been  recorded  from  Japan. 

ScOLOPAX  GRISEA. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1707)  from  East  Yezo  is  that  of  a  female 
in  first  autumn  plumage  of  this  species.  A  second  example 
was  obtained  at  Yokohama  in  March,  and  from  the  description 
is  an  adult  in  winter  plumage.  This  American  species  is  an 
addition  to  the  birds  of  Japan.  It  has  occurred  in  North- 
east Siberia  (Tacz.  Journ.  Orn.  1873,  p.  112),  and  is  in- 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  D 


34  Mr.  H.  Seeb ohm's  Contributions 

eluded  in  the  list  of  British  birds,  more  than  a  dozen  examples 
having  been  obtained  in  this  country. 

Tringa  subminuta. 

Tringa  RUnCOLLIS. 

Both  these  species  pass  along  the  coasts  of  China  and 
Japan  in  spring  and  autumn^  but  I  have  not  seen  any  ex- 
amples of  T.  minuta  from  either  of  these  countries.  These 
three  species  are  often  confused  together.  T.  subminuta 
may  always  be  distinguished  by  its  large  feet.  T.  ruficollis 
in  spring  plumage  may  always  be  known  by  its  chestnut 
throat  and  breast,  and  in  winter  plumage  by  the  absence  of 
chestnut  margins  to  the  two  centre  tail-feathers. 

Tringa  canutus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2794-)  from  Yokohama  is  correctly 
identified. 

NUMENIUS  LINEATUS. 
NUMENIUS  CYANOPUS. 
NUMENIUS  VARIEGATUS. 
NUMENIUS  MINUTUS. 

There  are  two  Curlews  and  two  Whimbrels  in  Japan.  N. 
lineatus  is  the  Eastern  form  of  our  Curlew,  from  which  it  is 
probably  only  subspecifically  distinct.  It  differs  from  our 
bird  in  having  the  rump  and  axillaries  pure  white,  characters 
which  are  very  rarely  met  with,  and  possibly  never  united  in 
European  birds.  It  has  also  a  longer  bill,  as  the  following 
measurements,  in  inches,  of  the  culmen  will  show  : — 

Females.  Males. 

N.  [meatus    8    to  6^  6    to  5i 

N.  arquatus 6|  to  5|  5|  to  4| 

N.  cyanopus  [N.  austraUs  and  N.  nifescens  of  Gould,  and 
N.  major  of  Temminck  and  Schlegel)  is  of  about  the  same  size, 
but  differs  from  both  forms  of  the  Common  Curlew  in  havinar 
the  rump  of  the  same  colour  as  the  back  and  upper  tail- 
coverts.  It  varies  enormously  in  the  length  of  the  beak,  the 
culmen  of  males  varying  from  4|  to  6|  inches,  and  of  females 
from  7|  to  8^  inches. 


to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  35 

N.  variegatus,  Scopoli  (ex  Sonuerat ;  N.  uropygialis  of 
Gould),  is  the  Eastern  form  of  our  Whimbrel,  and  doubtfully 
distinct  from  it,  having  the  rump  streaked  instead  of  white. 

N.  minutus  is  a  miniature  N.  cyanopus,  the  wing  measuring 
only  7\  instead  of  12  inches  in  length. 

Ibis  propinqua. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1829)  from  Yedo  is  correctly  identified. 

BUBULCUS  COROMANDUS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3215)  from  Tokio  is  correctly  identified. 

BUTORIDES  MACRORHYNCHUS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2811)  from  Nagasaki  is  correctly  iden- 
tified. It  seems  doubtful  if  this  species  is  distinct  from 
B.  javanicus. 

Ardeola  prasinosceles. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2677)  from  Hakodadi  belongs  to  this 
species,  which  has  not  hitherto  been  recorded  from  Japan. 
It  was  described  by  Swinhoe  from  South  China,  but  seems 
to  be  doubtfully  distinct  from  A.  leucoptera. 

Rallus  bailloni. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2717)  from  Yokohama  is  Baillon's 
Crake.     It  does  not  differ  in  size  from  European  examples. 

Tetrao  bonasia. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3242)  from  Hakodadi  is  a  typical 
Hazel-Grouse,  neither  the  short-tailed  pale  Siberian  form 
nor  the  rufous  South-European  form. 

Lagopus  mutus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3243),  from  an  elevation  of  9250  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea,  about  a  hundred  miles  to  the 
north-west  of  Yokohama,  on  the  main  island  of  Japan  (not 
from  Northern  Japan,  as  erroneously  stated  by  Saunders, 
Yarr.  Brit.  B.  iii.  p.  86),  appears  to  belong  to  the  Common 
Ptarmigan. 

TUBTUR  ORIENTALIS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2367)  from  Yezo  belongs  to  this  species, 

d2 


36  Mr.  H.  Seebolim's  Contributions 

which  has  already  been  recorded  from  Japan  by  Whitely  (Ibis, 
1867,  p.  204)  as  T.  rupicola,  and  by  Swinhoe  (Ibis,  1874, 
p.  162)  as  T,  gelastes. 

CUCULUS  HIMiiLAYANUS. 

The  skins  sent  (Nos.  2710,  2711)  from  Fujisan  are  the 
C.  himalayanus  of  Vigors  apiid  Jerdon.  The  wings  measure 
7'9  inches. 

CuCULUS  HYPERYTHRUS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2709)  from  Fujisan  belongs  to  this 
species.  It  is  the  Hierococcy.v  fugaoc  of  Horsfield  apud 
Blakiston  and  Pryer.  It  appears  to  me  that  the  adult  of 
this  species  is  unknown.  All  the  skins  I  have  seen  have 
longitudinal  streaks  on  the  underparts,  such  as  are  charac- 
teristic of  immature  birds  of  the  Hierococcy.v  group  of 
Cuckoos,  to  which  it  evidently  belongs. 

PiCUS  MINOR. 

Three  skins  sent  from  Yezo  are  of  typical  P.  minor,  much 
darker  on  the  underparts,  and  much  more  streaked,  espe- 
cially on  the  breast  and  flanks,  than  P.  minor  var.  pipra, 
which  ranges  from  Archangel  to  Kamtschatka.  Two  ex- 
amples in  my  collection  from  the  island  of  Saghalien,  and 
one  from  the  Altai  Mountains,  are  paler  underneath,  but  are 
streaked  on  the  breast  and  flanks.  A  British  example  only 
differs  from  these  skins  from  Yezo  in  having  the  flanks  barred 
instead  of  streaked,  a  feature  characteristic  of  P.  minor  var. 
danfordi  from  Asia  Minor. 

Upupa  epops. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2125),  caught  at  sea  off  the  south-east 
coast  of  Yezo,  belongs  to  the  typical  form  of  the  Hoopoe. 

ZOSTEROPS  JAPONICA. 

A  skin  (No.  3250)  bought  from  a  native  bird-dealer,  and 
said  to  have  been  caught  in  the  interior  of  the  main  island, 
is  very  large.  It  measures — wing  2*5  inches,  tail  TS,  culmen 
•77,  tarsus  '7Q.  The  rufous  on  the  breast  and  flanks  is  some- 
what paler  than  usual. 


to  the  Ornitholoyy  of  Japan.  37 

CeRTHIA  FAMILIARIS. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  318.2)  from  Sapporo  is  of  the  arctic  or 
pale  form  known  as  var.  scandulaca. 

Lanius  magnirostris. 

The  skin  sent  from  Fujisan,  near  Yokohama^  belongs  to 
this  species^  which  is  new  to  Japan. 

Lanius  major. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1097)  from  Hakodadi  belongs  to  this 
species,  which  is  also  new  to  Japan. 

BUTALIS  SIBIRICA. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2730)  from  Fujisan  belongs  to  this 
species,  which  is  also  an  addition  to  the  fauna  of  Japan. 

Parus  ater. 

Two  females  from  Yezo  are  indistinguishable  from  Euro- 
pean skins;  but  a  male  (No.  3178)  from  the  same  locality 
has  a  decided  crest,  and  must  be  referred  to  var.  pekinensis. 

Parus  palustris. 

Two  examples  (Nos.  3131,  3132)  from  Yezo  belong  to  the 
form  known  as  var.  brevivostris,  as  does  also  an  example  from 
the  Kurile  Islands  (No.  2799) . 

ACREDULA  ROSEA. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2732)  from  Yokohama  is  indistinguish- 
able from  European  examples,  and  can  hardly  claim  to  be 
called  var.  trivirgata. 

^GITHALUS  CONSOBRINUS. 

A  second  skin  of  a  male  (No.  2543)  and  one  of  a  female 
(No.  2544)  from  Nagasaki,  in  the  south  island  of  Japan, 
appears  to  prove  that  this  species,  of  which  the  type  de- 
scribed by  Swinhoe  from  Central  China  is  in  my  collection,  is 
a  good  one,  differing  from  ^"E.pendullnus  in  having  no  chestnut 
on  the  breast,  a  darker  head,  and  less  chestnut  on  the  back. 

Accentor  rubidus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2227)  from  Tokio,  at  no  great  distance 
from  Yokohama,  agrees  with  Temminck  and  SchlegeFs  figure 
in  having  no  streaks  on  the  flanks.     Probably  the  Accentor 


38  Mr.  H.  Seebohm's  Contributions 

rubidus  \qx.  fervidus  (Sliarpe,  Cat.  B.B.  M.  vii.  p.  653),  with 
streaked  flanks^  is  confined  to  the  north  island  of  Japan. 

Accentor  nipalensis. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  2731)  from  Fujisan^  not  far  from  Yo- 
kohama, agrees  with  the  remains  of  the  type  of  A.  erythro- 
pygius  in  the  Swiuhoe  collection.  This  bird  has  recently 
been  made  (Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vii.  p.  663)  a  sub- 
species of  A.  alpinus ;  but  I  cannot  find  that  it  differs  in 
any  particular  from  A.  nipalensis. 

Anthus  ludoviciaxus. 

Mr.  Blakiston  has  sent  a  fine  series  of  fifteen  examples  of 
A.japonicus,  all  of  which  are  absolutely  identical  with  Ame- 
rican birds.  One  example  is  almost  an  exact  duplicate  of 
the  bird  figured  in  Swainson  and  Richardson^s '  Fauna  Boreali- 
Americana  ^  (see  Seebohm,  Hist.  Brit.  B.  ii.  p.  248). 

MoTACiLLA  BLAKisTONi,  Sccb.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  91  ^. 

I  have  now  a  fine  series  of  this  excellent  species  of  both 
sexes  in  summer  and  winter  plumage,  both  adult  and  young. 
They  all  have  more  white  on  the  basal  half  of  the  primaries, 
especially  the  three  first,  than  can  be  found  in  any  of  the 
allied  species.  The  male  has  a  black  back  in  summer,  but 
females  in  both  seasons  and  males  in  winter  have  the  back 
grey  mottled  with  black.  The  ear-coverts,  cheeks,  and  sides 
of  the  neck  are  always  white,  and  in  adults  the  shoulders  are 
black  and  the  secondaries  white,  or  nearly  so.  The  throat  is 
black  in  summer  and  white  in  winter,  but  the  breast  is 
always  black. 

MOTACILLA  JAPONICA. 

This  species  may  be  recognized  in  both  sexes,  at  both 
seasons  and  at  all  ages,  by  its  stout  bill  and  by  its  never 
having  the  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  white ;  they  are  black  in 
adults  and  grey  in  the  young.  The  only  white  on  the  head 
is  the  chin,  forehead,  and  eye-stripe.  In  this  species  the 
back,  throat,  and  breast  of  the  male  are  always  black, 
and  of  the  female  always  dark  grey.  As  in  the  preceding 
*  [See  Ridgway,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  vi.  p.  144.— Edd.J 


to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  39 

species,  the  shoulders  are  black  and  the  secondaries  white, 
but  the  first  three  primaries  are  only  white  on  the  outside 
half  of  the  basal  half  of  the  inner  web. 

MOTACILLA  AMURENSIS. 

This  species  appears  also  to  be  perfectly  distinct  from  its 
allies,  and  may  be  always  distinguished  from  the  preceding 
two  species  by  its  grey  shoulders  and  secondaries.  In  the 
distribution  of  the  white  on  the  three  first  primaries  it  agrees 
with  M.japonica.  The  male  in  summer  plumage  has  a  black 
back,  suffused  with  grey  on  the  rump,  but  the  male  in  winter 
and  the  female  in  summer  have  grey  backs.  The  throat  is 
black  in  summer  and  white  in  winter,  but  the  breast  is  always 
black.  The  only  species  with  which  this  bird  is  likely  to  be 
confused  is  M.  ocularis.  From  this,  however,  it  is  perfectly 
distinct,  with  an  entirely  different  geographical  range.  M. 
amurensis  bears  the  same  relation  to  M.  ocularis  that  M. 
yarrelli  does  to  M.  alba,  and  is  in  every  respect  as  distinct. 
The  males  can  only  be  confounded  in  winter  plumage,  but 
the  lighter  slate-grey,  especially  on  the  rump,  of  M.  ocularis 
is  a  sufficient  distinction.  The  latter  species  is  not  found 
in  Japan. 

MOTACILLA  SULPHUREA. 

A  series  of  Japanese  examples  vary  in  length  of  tail  from 
3"6  to  3'7  inches,  and  are  therefore  of  the  var.  melanope. 

MOTACILLA  FLAVA. 

A  skin  from  Canton  and  another  (No.  2781)  from  the 
Kurile  Islands  have  the  head  dark  olive-green,  the  eye-stripe 
yellow,  and  the  ear-coverts  dark  brown,  and  are  therefore  of 
var.  taivanus.  An  example  from  Hongkong  collected  by 
Jouy  also  belongs  to  this  form. 

Cettia  cantans. 

Cettia  cantillans. 

Carefully  sexed  examples  of  these  two  species,  collected  by 
Mr.P.T.  Jouy,  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  at  Washington, 
about  the  centre  of  the  main  island  of  Japan,  seem  to  prove 
that  I  was  wrong  in  uniting  them.     It  is  curious  that  two 


40  Mr.  H.  Seebohm's  Contributions 

species  only  differing  in  size  should  inhabit  the  same  district ; 
but  they  appear  to  vary  in  length  of  wing,  as  under — 

Males.  Females. 

C.  cantans 2-65  to  2-5  2-55  to  2-45 

C.  cantillans 22    to  2-15  2-15  to  2-05 

CiSTICOLA  CISTICOLA. 

There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  the  so-called  C.  brunneiceps 
is  the  summer  plumage  of  the  European  Fantailed  Warbler. 

Megalurus  pryerIj  nov.  sp. 

This  is  a  most  interesting  addition  to  the  fauna  of  Japan. 
The  skin  sent  (No.  P  5)  was  shot  in  Tokio,  not  very  far  from 
Yokohama.  Its  nearest  ally  is  M.  grammeus  from  Australia, 
but  it  differs  from  that  species  in  having  a  shorter  and  more 
rufous  tail,  in  having  buff  instead  of  white  edges  to  the  inner- 
most secondaries,  and  in  having  no  spots  on  the  throat,  breast, 
or  under  tail-coverts. 

The  general  colour  of  the  upper  parts  is  chestnut-buff, 
each  feather,  except  those  of  the  forehead  and  rump,  having 
an  almost  black  centre,  especially  conspicuous  on  the  back 
and  innermost  secondaries.  The  quills  and  tail-feathers  are 
buflSsh  brown,  the  latter  Avith  dark  shaft-lines.  The  under- 
parts  are  chestnut-buff,  shading  into  pale  buff  on  the  centre 
of  the  throat  and  belly,  and  on  the  axillaries  and  under  wing- 
coverts.  Bill  black  above,  pale  beneath.  Legs,  feet,  and 
claws  pale.  The  bill  is  Phylloscopine,  and  the  rictal  bristles 
very  small.  The  second  primary  is  about  equal  to  the  ninth, 
and  about  twice  as  long  as  the  first.  The  tail,  of  twelve  fea- 
thers, is  Locustelline,  and  has  no  trace  of  black  subterminal 
spots.  Length  of  wing  2'32,  tail  2"32,  tarsus  "8,  culmcn  '5 
inch. 

This  bird  (and  its  allies)  might  be  placed  in  the  genus  Lus- 
ciniola.  It  is  structurally  the  same  as  L.  thoracica,  but  has 
the  pattern  of  colour  of  Megalurus,  and  is  so  exactly  inter- 
mediate between  the  two  genera  as  to  make  it  doubtful  if 
they  can  be  separated. 

Troglodytes  parvulus. 

Three  Wrens  from  the  Yokohama  district  measure  in  length 


to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.  41 

of  wing  from  2-1  to  1'85  inch,  and  are  indistinguishable  from 
European  examples,  except  that  the  underparts  are  slightly- 
darker  and  more  rufous.  The  smaller  ones  are  absolutely  in- 
distinguishable from  examples  from  Vancouver's  Island.  An 
example  from  Hakodadi  measures  2"1  inches  in  length  of  wing, 
and  is  slightly  paler  on  the  underparts.  An  example  from  the 
Kurile  Islands  is  still  paler  underneath,  but  not  quite  so 
pale  as  European  examples  :  it  measures  2' 15  inches  in 
length  of  wing,  and  the  culmen  'QQ  inch.  Nothing  can  be 
more  misleading  than  to  dignify  these  climatic  races  with 
the  rank  of  species.  The  Japanese  Wren  is  known  as  T. 
parvulus  \diY.fumigatus ;  but  to  distinguish  it  even  as  a  variety 
from  T.  alascensis  and  T.  pacificus  can  only  be  regarded  as 
hair-splitting,  the  extremes  in  a  series  of  any  one  variety 
overlapping  the  extremes  of  the  nearest  allied  varieties. 

Merula  cardis. 

Among  the  examples  sent  of  this  species  is  one  (No.  724) 
from  Hakodadi  of  the  young  in  first  plumage,  which  was 
hitherto  unknown.  The  general  colour  is  brown,  but  most 
of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  have  chestnut  shaft- 
streaks  and  black  terminal  bands.  The  throat  and  upper 
breast  are  spotted  like  the  lower  breast  and  flanks.  Axillaries 
chestnut. 

Merula  chrysolaus. 

An  example  (No.  723)  from  Hakodadi  of  young  in  first 
plumage  is  new.  The  general  colour  resembles  that  of  the 
adult,  but  most  of  the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  have 
chestnut  shaft-streaks  and  black  terminal  bands,  and  on  the 
breast  and  flanks  are  arrow-shaped  black  spots.  Axillaries 
grey. 

Alauda  arvensis. 

The  Sky-Larks  of  Japan  diflPer  in  size  as  much  as  ours  do, 
the  wing  varying  in  length  from  4*9  to  3"9  inches.  They  are 
slightly  more  rufous  than  our  birds,  and  might  be  called 
var.  japonica  by  ornithologists  anxious  to  split  hairs.  A 
smaller  race,  var.  coelivox,  also  occurs  in  Japan,  having  the 
wing  varying  from  3*7  to  3'2  inches. 


42  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  oj  Japan. 

Emberiza  yessoensis. 

Three  examples  from  Yezo  prove  the  distinctness  of  this 
species^  which  was  figured  in  '  The  Ibis '  for  1879,  pi.  i. 

Syrnium  uralense. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  3163)  from  Yezo  is  sexed  a  female, 
and  dated  October,  but  is  no  more  rufous  than  examples  from 
Krasnoyarsk  (see  Ibis,  1879,  p.  180). 

Bubo  blakistoni,  Seebohm,  nov.  sp.  P.  Z.  S.  Nov.  20th, 
1883. 

It  seems  probable  that  the  name  of  B.  maximns  must  be 
erased  from  the  list  of  Jajian  birds.  The  Owl  which  has 
hitherto  done  duty  for  this  species  in  Japanese  collections 
turns  out  to  be  almost  generically  distinct.  The  skin  is 
dated  Hakodadi,  December. 

General  colour  of  the  upper  parts  brown,  marbled  with 
buff,  which  takes  the  form  of  transverse  bars  on  the  wings 
and  tail;  all  the  small  feathers  with  broad  dark-brown  shaft- 
streaks.  Underparts  similar,  but  the  shaft-streaks  narrower. 
Chin  and  upper  throat  white,  with  very  narrow  shaft-streaks. 
Ear-tufts  well  developed.  Tarsus  feathered,  but  toes 
entirely  bare.  Length  of  wing  22  inches,  tail  11,  tarsus  3*8, 
culmen  2*5 . 

This  bird  is  probably  the  largest  known  species  of  Owl, 
and  forms  a  connecting  link  between  the  genera  Bubo  and 
Ketupa.  It  is  perhaps  nearest  to  B.  coromandus,  but  is 
much  larger,  and  is  without  any  trace  of  feathers  on  the 
feet. 

Scops  stictonotus. 

Scops  japonicus. 

A  series  from  Hakodadi  of  the  grey  form  to  the  rufous 
form  presents  almost  every  intermediate  stage,  and  shows 
that  these  supposed  species  are  only  phases  of  plumage  of  a 
variable  species,  probably  climatic  varieties. 

ScOPS  SEMITORQUES. 

Males  appear  to  measure  6  inches  in  length  of  wing  and 
females  7  inches. 


Mr.  R.  Ridgway  on  three  Guatemalan  Birds.  43 

Aquila  chrysaetus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  P  7)  from  Yokohama  is  a  young  bird 
of  this  species. 

Aquila  lagopus. 

The  skins  sent  (Nos.  2666  and  1371)  from  Hakodadi  are 
Rough-legged  Buzzard  Eagles. 

Circus  spilonotus. 

The  skin  sent  (No.  1491)  from  Hakodadi  appears  to  be  a 
young  male  of  this  species.  The  thighs  are  white  streaked 
with  chestnut ;  the  primary-coverts  and  the  secondaries  are 
very  grey  ;  and  there  are  obscure  bars  on  all  the  tail-feathers, 
except  the  two  centre  ones.  Another  skin  (P  8)  from  the 
main  island  appears  to  be  a  female  in  first  plumage.  The 
thighs  are  dark  chestnut-brown,  but  all  the  tail-feathers  are 
barred. 

Circus  ^ruginosus. 

Three  examples  from  the  main  island  of  Japan  are  Common 
Marsh-Harriers,  with  almost  white  heads,  unbarred  tails,  and 
dark  chestnut  thighs. 

V. — Notes  on  three  Guatemalan  Birds. 
By  Robert  Ridgway. 

Having,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Salvin,  had  the  oppor- 
tunity of  examining  the  type  specimens  of  the  following 
species,  it  affords  me  much  pleasure  to  offer  a  few  remarks 
concerning  them,  my  apology  for  doing  so  being  that  they 
possess  peculiar  interest  to  me  on  account  of  their  relation- 
ship, real  or  supposed,  to  certain  North-American  forms 
with  which  I  have  been  enabled  to  make  a  careful  comparison 
of  them. 

1.  Chrysomitris  atriceps,  Salvin,  P.  Z.  S.  May  1863, 
p.  190;  Ibis,  1866,  p.  194. 

This  very  distinct  species  is  apparently  most  nearly  related 
to  C.  spinescens,  Bp,,  of  New  Granada.  The  coloration  is 
very  similar,  but  the  olive-green  tips  to  the  greater  wing- 
coverts  and  margins  of  the  tertials  are  much  broader,  and  the 


44  Mr.  R,  Ridgway  on  three  Guatemalan  Birds. 

lower  parts  of  quite  a  different  colour,  being  yellowisli  olive 
(in  some  specimens  dull  greyish)  instead  of  bright  oil-yellow. 
C.  spinescens  likewise  has  no  dusky  on  the  chin  or  throat, 
and  has  a  jiroportionately  much  smaller  bill. 

With  C.  notata  no  comparison  need  be  made,  there  being 
no  close  resemblance,  except  in  the  shape  of  the  bill,  which 
is  similarly  elongated  and  acute. 

2.  Ammodromus  petenicus,  Salvin,  //.  c. 

In  general  appearance  this  species  resembles  very  closely 
the  "  Coturnicuhis  manimhe,  var.  dorsal'ts"  of  Hist.  N.  Am.  B. 
vol.  i.  p.  549,  but  is  quite  distinct.  It  differs  in  lacking  the 
yellow  supraloral  spot,  which  in  the  present  bird  is  greyish 
white,  in  having  a  distinct  dusky  line  along  each  side  of  the 
throat,  of  which  there  is  no  trace  in  C  dorsalis,  in  the  much 
paler  yellow  of  the  wing-edge,  in  the  much  darker  colour  of 
the  lateral  lower  parts,  and  in  the  decidedly  darker  ground- 
colour of  the  dorsal  surface.  There  are  also  other  marked 
differences  of  coloration,  but  those  mentioned  are  the  most 
conspicuous.  If  the  Fringilla  numimbe,  Licht.,  and  its  allies 
(Coturniailus  peruanus,  Bii.,  and  the  above-mentioned  bird 
from  the  Argentine  Republic,  Uruguay,  &c.)  are  rightly 
placed  in  the  genus  Coturniculus,  the  present  bird  would  seem 
to  belong  there  also,  since  it  is  very  closely  allied;  but  I 
doubt  the  propriety  of  referring  any  of  these  birds  to  either 
Coturniculus  or  Ammodromus,  all  the  typical  species  of  which 
are  distinguished  by  their  very  narrow  and  finely  acuminate 
rectrices. 

3.   Spizella  pinetorum,  Salvin,  //.  c. 

This  species  is  far  more  closely  related  to  S.  socialis  than 
to  S.  pusilla ;  indeed  I  cannot  see  why  it  should  ever  have 
been  compared  with  the  latter.  The  resemblance  to  S.  so- 
cialis extends  to  all  parts  of  the  coloration,  the  pattern  of 
which  is  identical  in  the  two,  but  all  the  tints  are  much 
darker  in  S.  pinetorum.  Thus  the  crown  is  a  very  rich  dark 
chestnut,  much  darker  even  than  in  the  fully  adult  spring 
plumage  of  Melospiza  palustris,  while  that  of  S.  socialis  is 
clear  rufous,  as  much  paler  than  the  tint  of  M.  pahistris  as 


Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  two  new  African  Birds.         45 

the  latter  is  paler  than  that  of  S.  innetormn.  All  the  other 
colours  are  darker  in  about  the  same  proportion,  though  the 
difference  in  the  colour  of  the  lower  parts  is  far  less  great. 

B.  socialis  has  a  similar  reddish  bill  at  some  seasons,  so  it 
is  quite  possible  that  this  member  may  become  entirely  black 
in  midsummer  specimens  of  S.  jnnetorum. 


VI. —  On  tivo  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Africa. 
By  Captain  G.  E.  Shelley. 

On  receiving  Mr.  Sharpe's  seventh  volume  of  the  '  Cata- 
logue of  Birds,'  I  was  enabled  to  feel  confident  that  I  had 
recently  added  to  my  collection  examples  of  two  species  new 
to  science.  One  I  propose  to  name  after  Mr.  R.  Bowdler 
Sharpe,  as  a  mark  of  the  high  merit  I  consider  every  orni- 
thologist should  recognize  in  his  work. 

1.  Apalis  sharpii,  sp.  n. 

General  plumage  slate-colour,  passing  into  brownish  black 
on  the  entire  head  and  neck.  Sides  of  the  body  ashy  grey, 
fading  into  white  down  the  centre  of  the  lower  breast  and  on 
the  under  tail-coverts ;  axillaries  and  under  wing-coverts 
white.  There  are  only  four  feathers  present  in  the  tail  of 
this  specimen  ;  three  of  these  are  narrowly  tipped  with  huffish 
white.  Bill  black  ;  legs  rufous-brown.  Total  length  4*2 
inches,  culmen  0*45,  wing  1"8,  tail  1*8,  tarsus  0"7. 

Hab.  Gold  Coast. 

Euprinodes  schistaceus,  Cass.,  appears  to  be  the  nearest  ally  ' 
of  this  species,  from  which  it  may  be  readily  distinguished 
by  the  brownish-black  colouring  of  the  head  and  neck,  the 
darker  deep  slaty  grey  of  the  back,  and  the  absence  of  any 
olive  shade. 

2.  Crateropus  squamulatus,  sp.  n. 

Upper  parts  brown,  darker  on  the  crown  and  nape,  and 
gradually  shading  into  black  towards  the  forehead,  where  the 
feathers  are  narrowly  edged  with  huffish  white  ;  the  buff  edges 
gradually  become  broader  and  browner  towards  the  back  of 


46  Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on 

the  crown,  but  remain  of  the  same  huffy  white  on  the  eye- 
brows and  feathers  bordering  the  ear-coverts.  On  the  back 
and  sides  of  the  lower  neck  the  pale  margins  to  the  feathers 
are  only  indicated  towards  their  tips,  and  form  obscure  pale 
brown  spots,  which  become  almost  obsolete  on  the  mantle. 
Lower  back  and  upper  tail-coverts  uniform  brown,  of  a  less 
ashy  shade  than  in  C.  plebeius  and  C.  jardinii.  AVings 
and  tail  dark  brown.  Lores,  cheeks,  and  ear-coverts  black. 
Chin  white,  with  broad  subterminal  black  bars  ;  throat  dusky 
brown,  with  broad  pale  buff  ends  to  the  feathers ;  remainder 
of  the  underparts  brown,  less  dusky  than  the  throat,  and 
slightly  shaded  with  rufous  towards  the  abdomen  and  under 
tail-coverts  ;  the  chest-feathers  have  pale  shafts  and  partial 
huffish  edges,  more  inclining  to  shaft-spots  than  on  the  throat. 
Under  wing-coverts  incline  to  rufous-buff,  and  the  inner 
margins  of  the  quills  are  partially  of  that  colour.  Bill  black ; 
legs  dark  brown ;  "  iris  golden  yellow  "  {Dr.  Fischer) .  Total 
length  8'7  inches,  culmeu  0*8,  wing  3-9,  tail  4,  tarsus  1-25. 

The  type  is  labelled  ''  ^ ,  Mombassa,  23,7,77,  Dr.  Fischer," 
and  has  been  incorrectly  referred  on  the  label  to  C.  kirki. 

C.  reinivardti,  Swains.,  appears  to  be  its  nearest  ally,  from 
which  it  maybe  distinguished  by  not  having  the  crown  uniform 
black,  by  the  absence  of  dark  centres  to  the  feathers  of  the 
throat,  by  the  darker  colouring  of  the  abdomen,  thighs,  and 
under  tail-coverts,  and  by  its  smaller  measurements. 

I  add  a  revision  of  the  key  to  the  genus  Crateropus  as 
restricted  by  Mr.  Sharpe  (Cat.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  vii.  p.  469). 

a.  Bill  not  yellow. 
a^.  Head  not  wliite. 
a^.  Rump  not  wliite. 

a^.  Ear-coverts  neither  black  nor  brownish 
black. 
a*.  Feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat  lan- 
ceolate, and  each  one  tipped  with 
white. 
a'.  Larger ;  wing  more  than  4  inches, 

4-3  to  4'5     1.  jardinii,  Smith. 

6".  Smaller ;  wing  less  than  4  inches, 

36  to  3-85  2.  kirki,  Sharpe. 


two  new  African  Birds.  47 

b*.  Feathers  of  the  chin  and  throat  not 
lanceolate,  and  with  no  spots  on  the 
chin. 
i'.  With  no  black  on  the  sides  of  the 
head. 
6*.  The  white  spots  on  the  throat 
and  chest  rounded,  and  more 
confined  to  the  tips  of  the  fea- 
thers ;  crown  paler,  the  dark 
centres  to  these  feathers  being 
narrower  and  more  lanceolate ; 
the  dark  centres  to  the  feathers 
of  the  mantle  very  obscure ; 
the  ear-coverts  and  cheeks  ge- 
nerally brown 3.  plehems,  Cretzschm, 

c'.  The  white  spots  on  the  throat 
and  chest  not  so  rounded,  but 
inclining  to  form  white  mar- 
gins to  the  feathers ;  crown 
darker,  the  pale  edges  to  these 
feathers  being  more  or  less  ab- 
sent ;  the  dark  centres  to  the 
feathers  of  the  mantle  more 
distinct ;  the  ear-coverts  more 

ashy  grey     A.'^platycercua,  Swains. 

c'.  With  some  black  on  the  sides  of 
the  head. 
c^.  Black  on  head  confined  to  the 
space  in  front  of  the  eyes  and 
a  narrow  edging  to  the  sides 
of  the  forehead. 
c',  Underparts   paler  ;    with  no 
brownish-black    centres    to 
the  feathers  of  the  throat . .     '^-  ^^'^'^^'P'^  Hartl. 

I  6.  hi/postictus,  Cab.  & 
d''.  Underparts    darker  ;    with  [Reichen. 

brownish-black    centres    to 
the  feathers  of  the  throat; 

chin  white 7.  tenehroaus,  Hartl. 

d^.  Ear-coverts    black,    and    with. 

black  on  the  forehead. 

d''.  Forehead  and  crown  uniform 

black ;  with  black  centres  to 

most  of  the  feathers  of  the 

throat 8.  reinwardii,  Swains. 


48         Capt.  G.  E.  Shelley  on  two  new  African  Birds. 

e'.  Forehead  black,  shading  into 
brown  towards  the  nape,  and 
•with  buff  edges  to  the  fea- 
thers of  the  forehead ;  with 
no  black  centres  to  the  fea- 
thers of  the  throat,  which 
are  tipped  and  edged  with  [Shelley. 

buff 9.  sqiiaimilafus, 

b^.  Rump  white 10.  hartlnuhi,  Bocage. 

i\  Head  white. 
i'^.  Breast  and  mantle  brown. 

b^.  Hump  brown,  only  slightly  paler  than  [Cretzschm. 

the  back 11.  leucocephahis, 

c^.  Rump  white,  contrasting  strongly  with 

the  back 12.  leucopygius,  Riipp. 

c^.  Head,  neck,  and  entire  body  white     ....    13.  bicolor,  Jard. 
b.  Bill  yellow. 

P.  Crown  ashy  grey,  like  the  remainder  of 

the  head,  throat,  and  crop    14.  atripennis,  Hartl. 

c'.  Crown  black,  contrasting  with  the  ashy- 
grey  forehead,  sides  of  the  head,  and 
throat ;  crop  maroon-brown,  like  the 
breast 15.  liaynesi,  Sharpe. 

C.  kirki  is  very  closely  allied  to  C  jardinii,  but  should,  I 
consider,  be  kept  specifically  distinct. 

C.  plebeius,  from  N.E.  Africa,  has  a  very  near  represen- 
tative in  C.  platycercus  from  W.  Africa,  where  the  latter  is 
apparently  represented  by  two  races — one  from  the  Gambia, 
the  true  C.  platycercus,  Swains.,  and  the  other  from  the  Gold 
Coast,  the  C.  plebeius,  Hartl.  (Orn.  W.Afr.  p.  79). 

These  two  races  only  differ  in  the  Gold-Coast  specimens 
having  the  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  more  strongly  washed  with 
white,  and  in  this  respect  closely  agree  with  the  figure  given 
by  Cretzschmar ;  the  throat  and  breast  in  that  figure  best 
agree  with  the  W. -African  forms,  while  in  the  crown  and 
mantle  it  most  nearly  represents  the  N.E. -African  bird,  for 
which  there  can  be  no  doubt  it  is  intended.  Although  these 
birds  are  closely  allied,  I  think  that  the  name  C.  plebeius 
should  be  kept  for  the  N.E. -African,  and  C.  platycercus  for 
the  W.-African  form,  and  that  the  Gold-Coast  race  should 
not  be  separated  from  C.jjlatycercus.     C.  hypostictus,  Cab.  & 


Introduction  to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  49 

Reichenow  (J.  f.  O.  1877,  pp.  25, 103),  is  only  known  to  me  by 
the  description,  and  I  have  placed  it  next  to  C.  melanops,  on 
account  of  its  having  blackish-brown  lores  {"  schwarzbraunen 
Ziigel ")  and  being  referred  to  as  very  near  C.  plebeius 
(p.  25) ;  but  when  I  find  it  compared  with  C.  jardinii 
(p.  103) ,  I  feel  less  certain  of  its  true  position  in  my  key, 
as  it  may  be  a  connecting-link  between  C.  kirki  and  C, 
melanops.  It  would  be  a  great  advantage  if  all  new  species 
which  are  not  accurately  figured  were  very  fully  described, 
and  a  key  given  to  show  their  natural  position  amongst  their 
most  nearly  allied  species. 

Cretzschmar  has  scarcely  received  fair  credit  for  his 
valuable  '  Atlas,'  w^hich  contains  original  descriptions  and 
illustrations  of  many  specimens  collected  by  Riippell  in  N.E. 
Africa,  previously  only  known  by  the  MS.  names  attached 
to  the  specimens  by  Rvippell. 


VII. — Introduction  to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.' 
By  R.  BowDLER  Sharpe*. 

It  having  been  suggested  to  us  by  ISIr.  Sotheran,  the 
proprietor  of  the  late  Mr.  Gould^s  Ornithological  Works, 
that  some  few  introductory  remarks  on  the  completion  of 
the  'Birds  of  Asia'  (one  of  the  works  left  unfinished 
at  Mr.  Gould's  death)  would  be  acceptable  to  the  Sub- 
scribers, we  have  attempted  to  give  a  brief  outline  of  the 
history  of  Asiatic  ornithology  during  the  past  thirty  years. 
It  is  difficult  for  us,  whose  path  has  been  smoothed  by  the 
labours  of  the  excellent  ornithologists  who  have  devoted 
themselves  to  the  study  of  oriental  birds,  to  carry  our  minds 
back  to  the  year  1850,  when  Mr.  Gould  commenced  to  write 
the  present  work  on  the  Birds  of  Asia,  at  a  time  when  such 
names  as  those  of  Hume,  Blanford,  Davison,  David,  Prje- 
walsky,  Severtzoff,  and  Swinhoe  were  unknown  to  fame.  In 
1850  the  golden  age  of  ornithology  was  but  commencing, 

*  [Reprinted,  by  permission,  from  the  concluding  number  of  Gould's 
'  Birds  of  Asia,'  recently  issued. — Edc] 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  K' 


50  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpe's  Introduction 

'  The  Ibis '  was  not  yet  established,  and  such  an  idea  as  the 
calling  into  existence  of  a  journal  entirely  devoted  to  Indian 
ornithology  was  undreamt  of.  Only  one  year  previously  had 
Gray  completed  his  great  work  on  the  Genera  of  Birds, 
which  tabulated  and  placed  in  order  all  the  then  known 
genera  and  species ;  and  this  was  closely  followed  by  the 
'  Conspectus  Avium''  of  Prince  Bonaparte  and  the  '  Catalogue 
of  the  Museum  Heineanum '  of  Dr.  Cabanis.  But  although 
the  three  last  mentioned  works  will  always  be  celebrated  for 
the  order  which  they  introduced  into  the  Class  Aves,  their 
work  did  not  affect  Asiatic  ornithology  in  particular,  and  the 
credit  for  first  setting  in  order  the  ornithology  of  India  rests 
with  two  naturalists — Jerdon  and  Blyth.  Before  Mr.  Gould^s 
work  commenced,  the  former  had  finished  his  '  Catalogue  of 
the  Birds  of  the  Peninsula  of  India,'  while  for  many  years 
Mr.  Blyth  had  been  engaged  in  publishing  those  important 
notes  and  synopses  of  Indian  birds,  in  the  '  Journal  of  the 
Asiatic  Society  of  Bengal,'  which  even  at  the  present  day  are 
studied  with  advantage  by  the  ornithologist.  Then,  in  1849, 
appeared  Mr.  Blyth's  '  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  Museum 
of  the  Asiatic  Society,'  wherein  were  incorporated  the  results 
of  all  his  previous  labours,  as  well  as  those  of  Jerdon. 
Another  writer.  Lord  Arthur  Hay,  in  future  to  be  better 
known  to  the  scientific  world  after  his  accession  to  the  titles 
Viscount  Walden  and  Marquis  of  Tweeddale,  had  also  written 
one  or  two  small  papers  on  Indian  birds  ;  and  Mr.  Gould 
had  himself  published  an  illustrated  folio  work  entitled  '  A 
Century  of  Birds  from  the  Himalaya  ]\Iountains.'  A  great 
change,  however,  had  taken  place  in  our  knowledge  of  Hima- 
layan birds  since  the  day  when  it  was  considered  of  impor- 
tance to  figure  one  hundred  species  from  this  part  of  India. 
This  was  due  to  the  exertions  of  Mr.  B.  H.  Hodgson,  the 
British  Resident  in  Nepal,  who  as  early  as  the  year  1836 
commenced  to  publish  papers  in  which  he  introduced  to  the 
notice  of  naturalists  some  animals  of  the  greatest  interest 
from  the  hill  regions  of  Nepal.  His  enormous  collections 
were  presented  by  him  to  the  British  Museum  in  1843  and 
1845,  together  with  a  complete  set  of  native  drawings,  which 


to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  51 

are  remarkable  for  their  accuracy  and  give  many  details  of 
the  anatomy  of  the  species  figured.  In  1844  Mr.  Hodgson 
gave  a  complete  catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Nepal  in  Gray's 
'  Zoological  Miscellany/  founded  on  the  above-named  draw- 
ings and  his  own  ample  collections.  In  1849  he  again  pre- 
sented the  British  Museum  with  a  collection  of  animals,  and 
gave  largely  to  the  museums  of  other  countries  also,  Blyth's 
'  Catalogue '  testifying  to  his  munificence  as  regards  Calcutta. 
On  his  return  to  India  his  subsequent  collections  were  given 
to  the  India  Museum  at  Fife  House ;  but  after  the  closing 
of  that  establishment  he  again  presented  a  large  number  of 
specimens  to  the  British  Museum,  ia  1859.  Two  lists  of 
Mr.  Hodgson's  donations  have  been  published  by  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  last-named  institution — one  in  1846,  and  another 
in  1863. 

In  commencing  to  write  the  '  Birds  of  Asia/  Mr.  Gould 
followed  the  majority  of  naturalists  in  treating  the  continent 
according  to  its  political  boundaries.  In  those  days  it  must 
be  remembered  that  Dr.  Sclater  had  not  revolutionized  the 
study  of  ornithology  by  his  division  of  the  earth  into  natural 
aoo-geographical  regions,  nor  had  Mr.  Wallace  arisen  to 
point  out  to  us  the  demarcation  between  the  Indo-Malayan 
and  Austro-Malayan  subregions,  while  the  existence  of  a 
Mediterraneo-Persic  subregion  had  not  been  forced  upon  the 
attention  of  ornithologists.  We  have  not  space  here  to  dis- 
cuss in  detail  the  zoo-geographical  divisions  of  the  continent 
of  Asia ;  but  the  natural  divisions  into  which  it  is  partitioned 
may  be  studied  to  advantage  in  two  works — Mr.  Wallace's 
'Geographical  Distribution  of  Animals,'  and  Captain  Elwes's 
paper  ''  On  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Asiatic  Birds," 
published  in  the  '  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of 
London' for  1873. 

It  will  therefore  be  understood  that,  when  the  late  Mr. 
Gould  commenced  his  work,  the  area  which  he  intended  to 
embrace  was  a  very  large  one ;  and  it  is  not  surprising  that 
thirty-three  years  should  have  been  insufficient  to  complete 
less  than  a  quarter  of  the  undertaking.  Species  from  Pales- 
tine to  the  westward,  and  from  the  Moluccas  to  the  east^ 

e2 


52  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpe's  Introduction 

have  been  figured  in  the  '  Birds  of  Asia ; '  and  it  is  equally 
certain  that  a  larger  number  of  new  species  have  been  dis- 
covered by  ornithologists  in  the  course  of  a  year  than  were 
figured  by  Mr.  Gould  in  the  single  part  of  the  '  Birds  of 
Asia'  which  he  issued  annually.  It  may  not  be  uninter- 
esting, however,  to  glance  rapidly  over  the  countries  included 
in  Asia  by  the  author  of  the  present  work,  and  to  estimate 
the  increase  of  knowledge  which  has  taken  place  since  he 
commenced  his  gigantic  task.  Of  the  ornithology  of  Siberia 
but  little  was  known  up  to  the  year  1850,  beyond  the  writ- 
ings of  the  old  Russian  travellers  Pallas  andGmelin.  Since 
the  above-mentioned  date,  the  explorations  of  Middendorff,  of 
Schrenck,  and  of  Radde  have  greatly  increased  our  knowledge, 
while  the  travels  of  Dr.  Finsch  on  the  river  Ob  have  added 
many  interesting  particulars  respecting  that  region.  One  of 
the  most  important  expeditions,  however,  to  this  portion  of 
Northern  Asia  was  that  undertaken  by  our  countryman  Mr. 
Henry  Seebohm,  who  in  1877  visited  the  valley  of  the  Yen- 
e-say,  discovered  the  breeding-places  of  many  birds  (unknown 
up  to  that  date),  and  brought  back  large  collections  of 
animals  from  that  little-known  portion  of  the  globe.  His 
experiences  and  adventures  are  related  in  his  work  '  Siberia  in 
Asia,'  one  of  the  most  entertaining  books  of  travel  w^hich  it 
has  ever  been  our  lot  to  peruse.  Central  Asia  remained  for 
a  longtime  a  terra  incognita  to  the  naturalist ;  but  about  the 
year  1872  Dr.  Severtzoff  commenced  to  publish  the  results 
of  his  journeys  through  Turkestan,  while  at  the  same  time 
the  mission  to  Yarkand  despatched  by  our  government,  under 
the  leadership  of  Sir  Douglas  Forsyth,  was  also  successful 
from  an  ornithological  point  of  view ;  and  the  book  '  Lahore 
to  Yarkand,'  published  by  Mr.  A.  O.  Hume  and  Dr.  Hen- 
derson the  naturalist  to  the  expedition,  is  full  of  interest  to 
the  ornithologist.  South-we^tern  Asia,  or  at  least  that  part 
of  it  embraced  in  the  Mediterraneo-Persic  subregion  of 
modern  writers,  still  requires  considerable  exploration  before 
we  can  be  considered  to  have  a  thorough  knowledge  of  its 
ornithology.  The  birds  of  the  Caucasus-  have  been  treated 
of  by  Menetries ;    and  more  recently  Professor  Bogdanoff 


to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  53 

has  published  a  work  on  the  species  inhabiting  this  region, 
whichj  however,  from  being  written  in  Russian,  will,  like 
Dr.  Severtzoff' s  '  Fauna  of  Turkestan/  be  unintelligible  to 
the  great  majority  of  readers.  Filippi^s  '  Viaggio  in  Persia' 
also  contains  a  useful  list  of  the  birds  met  with  by  him ;  but 
by  far  the  most  important  work  on  the  zoology  of  Persia  is 
that  of  Mr.  W.  T.  Blanford,  who  has  given  a  very  complete 
account  of  the  birds  obtained  by  him  during  his  travels  from 
Baluchistan  through  Persia  to  the  Caspian.  This  work  on 
Eastern  Persia  also  contains  an  account  of  the  collections 
made  by  Sir  Oliver  St.  John  during  his  residence  near  Shiraz. 
When  we  come  to  Afghanistan  we  have  the  excellent  obser- 
vations of  Captain  Hutton  on  the  Birds  of  Kandahar,  pub- 
lished in  1845  and  1846,  and  the  more  scattered  notices  of 
the  collections  made  by  Dr.  Samuel  Grifiith  in  the  same 
country,  as  recorded  by  Messrs,  Horsfieldand  Moore  in  their 
'  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  Museum  of  the  East  India 
Company.'  Besides  these  there  are  some  excellent  papers  by 
Colonel  Swinhoe,  Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  and  Serjeant 
BarneSj  which  give  an  account  of  the  birds  observed  by  them 
during  the  last  Afghan  war. 

As  regards  British  India,  we  have  already  alluded  to  the 
state  of  its  ornithological  record  up  to  the  year  1850,  when 
the  labours  of  Blyth  and  Jerdon  had  done  so  much  to  pre- 
pare the  way  for  the  successful  issue  which  has  since  unin- 
terruptedly followed.  Ceylon  appears  to  have  been  the  next 
place  to  be  explored  by  working  ornithologists ;  and  Mr. 
E.  L.  Layard  contributed  in  1853  some  very  interesting  notes 
on  the  birds  of  that  country,  supplementary  to  the  catalogue 
published  by  Dr.  Kelaart  in  his  '  Prodromus  Faunse  Zeylo- 
nicse,'  But  in  the  year  1854  a  most  important  work  on 
Indian  ornithology  was  issued,  which  we  consider  to  have 
had  a  great  effect  upon  the  recent  studies  of  ornithologists. 

This  was  the  '  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  Museum  of 
the  East  India  Company,'  a  work  which  bears  on  its  title- 
page  the  names  of  Dr.  Horsfield  and  Mr.  F.  Moore,  but 
which  is  known  to  have  been  prepared  entirely  by  the  last- 
named  naturalist.     The  importance  of  this  Catalogue  con- 


54  Mr,  R.  B.  Sharpe's  Introduction 

sists  in  the  fact  that  it  gathers  together  into  one  compass  all 
the  scattered  literature  of  Indian  birds  which  existed  up  to 
that  period,  and  it  is  especially  valuable  as  containing  a  con- 
nected list  of  references  to  Mr.  Blyth's  papers  spread  over 
many  volumes  of  the  Asiatic  Society's  '  Journal/  It  must 
therefore  never  be  forgotten  that  in  that  year  ornithologists 
possessed  for  the  first  time  a  nearly  complete  literature  of 
Indian  birds,  so  far  as  Accipitres,  Passeres,  and  Picarise  are 
concerned.  A  lull  then  appears  to  have  taken  place  in  Indian 
ornithology,  broken  only  by  occasional  papers  from  Mr. 
Blyth,  Colonel  Tickell,  and  other  field-naturalists,  until  the 
year  1862,  when  Dr.  Jerdon  brought  out  the  first  volume  of 
his  '  Birds  of  India.'  This  book,  which  was  published  in 
three  octavo  volumes,  was  completed  in  1864;  and,  equally 
by  naturalists  at  home  as  by  field  ornithologists  in  India,  it 
has  been  recognized  as  the  standard  work  on  Indian  orni- 
thology. Many  years  must  elapse  before  its  utility  will  be 
impaired ;  and  it  is  certain  that  every  one  writing  on  the 
birds  of  India  has  to  take  Jerdon's  book  as  his  starting- 
point,  Mr.  Blyth's  able  critique  on  this  book  in  'The  Ibis  * 
added  considerably  to  its  importance  ;  and  in  1872  Dr. 
Jerdon  himself  contributed  a  series  of  supplementary  notes 
to  the  last-named  journal  :  these  have  been  duly  recorded  in 
a  second  edition  of  the  '  Birds  of  India,'  published  under  the 
superintendence  of  Colonel  Godwin-Austen.  A  very  inter- 
esting MS.  work  by  the  late  Colonel  Tickell,  with  beautifully 
painted  pictures  of  Indian  birds,  has  also  been  presented  to 
the  library  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London. 

If,  however,  Indian  ornithology  is  indebted  to  an  incal- 
culable extent  to  the  labours  of  Blyth  and  Jerdon,  there  is 
at  least  one  naturalist  whose  claim  to  equal  rank  with  the 
above-named  pioneers  will  be  admitted  hj  every  future  his- 
torian of  the  subject.  This  is  Mr.  A.  O.  Hume,  who  for  the 
past  fifteen  years  has  worthily  trod  in  the  footsteps  of  his 
renowned  predecessors;  and  one  cannot  but  regret  that 
neither  Blyth  nor  Jerdon  have  survived  to  see  the  results  of 
their  early  studies  as  pushed  towards  such  a  brilliant  conclu- 
sion by  Mr.  Hume.     To  attempt  to  write  on  Indian  birds 


to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  55 

without  consulting  the  pages  of  ''  Stray  Feathers/  which  is 
the  curiously  chosen  title  of  Mr.  Hume's  journal^  would  be 
as  impossible  as  for  any  one  to  essay  to  write  a  history  of 
Neotropical  birds  without  referring  to  the  works  of  Dr.  Sclater 
and  Mr.  Salvin.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  Mr.  Hume  has  suc- 
ceeded in  interesting  a  large  number  of  ardent  naturalists  in 
a  study  of  the  birds  of  India ;  and  although  he  has  been  sin- 
gularly fortunate  in  the  number  and  calibre  of  his  coadjutors, 
the  credit  of  the  extraordinary  advance  which  the  study  of 
Indian  ornithology  has  made  during  the  last  twelve  years  is 
mainly  due  to  the  energy  of  Mr.  Hume  himself.  Not  only 
does  his  journal  contain  useful  lists  of  species  from  various 
parts  of  the  Indian  peninsula,  but  important  essays  will  be 
found  therein  on  the  ornithology  of  Yarkand,  Afghanistan, 
Sindh,  Tenasserim  (occupying  an  entire  volume  of  524  pages), 
and  the  Malayan  peninsula.  In  England,  too,  considerable 
energy  has  been  shown  in  the  study  of  Indian  ornithology. 
Besides  the  uninterrupted  issue  of  the  '  Birds  of  Asia,'  this 
country  was  indebted  to  the  late  Marquis  of  Tweeddale  for 
many  of  the  most  valuable  memoirs  ever  written  on  birds. 
His  large  collections  and  his  intimate  knowledge  of  ornitho- 
logical literature  rendered  him  the  first  authority  on  Asiatic 
ornithology  in  this  country ;  and  his  untimely  death  was 
mourned  by  the  entire  scientific  world. 

The  islands  in  the  Bay  of  Bengal  have  been  thoroughly 
explored  on  Mr.  Hume's  behalf  by  Mr.  W.  Davison,  pro- 
bably one  of  the  best  collectors  that  science  has  ever  known ; 
and  it  is  to  this  same  gentleman  that  we  are  indebted  for  very 
successful  ornithological  results  in  Tenasserim  and  the  Ma- 
layan peninsula.  Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay  has  also  largely 
contributed  to  our  knowledge  of  the  avifauna  of  the  Andaman 
Islands.  The  history  of  the  'Birds  of  Ceylon'  by  Major 
Vincent  Legge  is  simply  a  model  work.  Having  resided  in 
the  island  for  seven  years,  he  devoted  his  attention  to  its 
ornithology,  and  has  published  the  results  of  his  studies  in 
a  large  qiiarto  volume  of  1237  pages. 

No  connected  account  has  yet  been  published  of  the  birds 
of  Assam  and  the  hills  of  North-eastern  Bengalj  such  as  the 


56  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpens  Introduction 

Khasia,  Naga,  Garo,  and  Muiiipur  hills.  McClelland  col- 
lected a  certain  number  of  specimens  in  Assam,  which  were 
presented  by  him  to  the  India  Museum,  and  are  now  in  the 
national  collection.  They  are  most  wretchedly  preserved, 
and  are  without  any  indication  of  locality,  sex,  or  date  of 
capture.  To  Colonel  Godwin-Austen  we  are  indebted  for 
scattered  lists  of  the  birds  procured  by  him  and  his  assis- 
tants during  the  surveys  of  the  hill-ranges  of  North-eastern 
Bengal  ;  and  a  connected  account  of  the  ornithological 
results  obtained  by  these  expeditions  would  be  of  the  greatest 
assistance  to  students.  These  hill-ranges  seem  to  have  been 
well  explored  by  Colonel  Godwin-Austen,  who  has  described 
some  beautiful  new  species,  and  whose  collection  of  birds 
from  these  localities  is  very  extensive. 

The  province  of  Arracan  is  almost  unknown  as  regards  its 
ornithology.  In  1875  the  late  Mr.  Blyth  prepared  a  list  of 
the  "Birds  of  Burmah/'  but  unfortunately  his  death  pre- 
vented the  publication  by  his  own  hands  :  it  was,  however, 
most  ably  edited  by  the  late  Marquis  of  Tweeddale  [then 
Lord  Walden] ,  who  not  only  added  his  own  information  on 
the  subject,  but  included  the  birds  recorded  shortly  before 
by  Mr.  Hume  from  Tenasserim,  and  the  important  collec- 
tions made  by  Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay  in  the  State  of 
Karen-nee.  We  have  not  yet  alluded  to  the  labours  of  an 
excellent  naturalist  in  Pegu,  Mr.  Eugene  W.  Gates,  who  has 
quite  recently  incorporated  the  results  of  his  former  papers 
along  with  those  of  other  field-naturalists  in  an  admirable 
*  Handbook  to  the  Birds  of  British  Burmah.'  This  work 
gives  a  concise  account  of  the  author^s  own  researches  in 
Pegu,  and  of  those  of  Mr.  Davison  and  Captain  Bingham  in 
Tenasserim.  We  may  refer  to  this  work,  one  of  the  best  of 
its  kind  ever  written,  as  proving  by  the  numberless  instances 
in  which  Mr.  Hume^s  name  is  quoted,  tlie  immense  influence 
which  he  has  exercised  on  Asiatic  ornithology. 

Here  must  be  mentioned  also  the  work  by  Dr.  Anderson 
on  the  zoological  results  of  the  second  expedition  to  Yunnan. 
Unfortunately  this  expedition  did  not  succeed  in  penetrating 
further  than  the  frontiers  of  tliat  province ;  but  many  in- 


to  Gould's  'Birds  of  Asia.'  57 

teresting  observations  were  made  during  the  brief  stay  of 
the  above-named  naturalist  in  Yunnan,  and  on  the  route 
traversed  by  the  expedition  through  native  Burmah.  The 
ornithology  of  Cochin  China  is  well  represented  in  the  Paris 
Museum  ;  and  Dr.  Tiraud  has  published  a  useful  list  of  the 
birds  of  that  country. 

"With  the  ornithology  of  China  the  name  of  the  late  Consul 
Swinhoe  will  always  be  inseparably^  connected.  Numerous 
contributions  from  his  pen  were  published  in  'The  Ibis/ 
and  two  complete  lists  of  the  birds  of  China  were  issued  in 
the  '  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London  •*  for 
1863  and  1871  respectively.  In  1877,  however,  a  very  com- 
plete work  on  Chinese  ornithology  appeared  from  the  pens  of 
Pfcjre  David  and  Dr.  Oustalet,  whose  book,  entitled  '  Les 
Oiseaux  de  la  Chine,'  embodies  not  only  Mr.  Swinhoe's  dis- 
coveries, but  likewise  the  results  of  the  travels  of  P^re  David 
throughout  China  as  well  as  those  of  Colonel  Prjevalsky  in 
Mongolia  and  Thibet.  A  complete  account  of  the  ornitho- 
logical observations  made  by  the  last-named  traveller  was 
also  translated  from  the  Russian,  and  published  in  the  late 
Mr.  Dawson  Rowley's  '  Ornithological  Miscellany.' 

We  may  here  remark  on  the  explorations  of  Dr.  Dybowski 
and  other  Russian  travellers  in  the  region  of  Lake  Baikal 
and  Eastern  Siberia,  an  account  of  which  has  been  written 
by  Dr.  Taczauowski  in  the  '  Bulletin  '  of  the  French  Zoolo- 
gical Society.  As  regards  Japan,  there  appeared  in  1850 
the  beautiful  illustrated  work  on  the  Fauna  Japonica  by 
Temminck  and  Schlegel,  wherein  are  many  fine  pictures  of 
birds,  some  of  them  drawn  by  Professor  Schlegel  himself, 
while  others  are  early  products  of  that  great  zoological 
draughtsman  Joseph  Wolf.  After  that  but  little  was  written 
on  the  ornithology  of  the  Japanese  Islands  until  1867,  when 
a  list  of  the  birds  collected  by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely  (since 
celebrated  for  his  explorations  in  Peru  and  Guiana)  appeared 
in  *  The  Ibis  ; '  but  more  recently  two  good  field-naturalists. 
Captain  Blakiston  and  Mr.  H.  Pryer,  have  published  a  list 
of  the  Birds  of  Japan ;  and  Mr.  Seebohm  has  also  devoted 
some  attention  to  the  ornithology  of  this  part  of  Asia. 


58  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpens  Introduction 

Lastly  we  have  to  consider  the  ornithology  of  the  Indo- 
Malayan  subregion.  In  1854  a  list  of  the  birds  of  Malacca 
collected  by  Dr.  Cantor  was  commenced  by  Mr.  F.  Moore. 
But  the  best  accounts  of  the  birds  of  the  ^Malayan  peninsula 
are  those  of  Mr.  Hume  in  '  Stray  Feathers '  (founded  on  the 
collections  made  by  Mr,  Davison  in  the  western  half  of  the 
peninsula)  and  of  Lieut.  Kelham  in  '  The  Ibis.^  Mr.  Davison 
has  proved  by  his  researches  that  many  of  the  Malayan  birds 
range  into  Southern  Tenasserim ;  and  it  is  much  to  be  re- 
gretted that  this  energetic  collector  has  been  disabled  by  the 
state  of  his  health  from  exploring  the  eastern  half  of  the 
Malayan  peninsula^  which  is  zoologically  absolutely  unknown. 
It  will  remain  for  some  future  explorer^  therefore^  to  visit  this 
dangerous  and  unknown  region,  when,  as  an  ornithological 
result,  it  will  doubtless  be  discovered  that  many  species 
inhabiting  the  Eastern  Himalayas  and  the  hills  of  Burmah 
and  Tenasserim  extend  their  range  to  the  mountains  of  Java 
and  Sumatra  along  the  elevated  ridge  which  forms  the  back- 
bone of  the  Malayan  peninsula. 

For  our  knowledge  of  the  ornithology  of  Sumatra  we  are 
still  mainly  dependent  upon  the  collections  of  the  old  Dutch 
travellers,  Solomon  Midler  and  others,  who  penetrated  the 
mountain-ranges  of  the  island  ;  if  we  except  the  successful 
expedition  made  by  Dr.  Beccari  in  1878,  and  the  more  recent 
researches  of  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes,  lately  recorded  by  Mr.  F. 
Nicholson.  The  collections  made  near  the  coast,  such  as 
those  of  the  late  Mr,  E.  C.  Buxton  in  Lampong,  have  mainly 
resulted  in  the  procuring  of  common  Malayan  and  Borneau 
forms. 

But  little  has  been  written  on  the  ornithology  of  Java. 
Horsfield^s  list  of  the  birds  procured  by  him,  and  subsequent 
observations  by  Dr.  Bernstein,  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes,  and  Mr. 
Vordeman  comprise  nearly  all  we  know  of  the  ornithology 
of  the  island  ;  but  rich  collections  are  contained  in  the 
Leiden  Museum,  and  the  British  Museum  likewise  possesses 
a  good  series  prepared  by  Mr.  Wallace,  and  by  no  means  the 
least  valuable  result  of  that  naturalist's  expedition  to  the 
East. 


to  Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.'  59 

With  the  ornithology  of  Borneo  we  are  much  better  ac- 
quainteclj  thanks  to  the  excellent  work  of  Count  Salvadorij 
the  '  Uccelli  di  Borneo/  which  contains  a  complete  record  of 
the  avifauna  of  the  island  up  to  the  year  1874.  Since  that 
date  Mr.  Alfred  Everett  and  his  brother  Mr.  Henry  Everett 
in  Sarawak,  Mr.  Hugh  Low  and  the  late  Governor  Ussher 
in  Labuan  and  in  the  provinces  of  Brunei  and  Lumbidan,  and 
Mr.  W.  B.  Pryer  in  Sandakan,  have  added  greatly  to  our 
knowledge  of  the  birds  of  Borneo,  and  have  shown  that  the 
relations  of  its  avifauna  are  mostly  with  that  of  Sumatra  and 
the  Malayan  peninsula,  that  few  forms  are  peculiar  to  the 
island,  and  that  it  receives  a  considerable  migratory  influx  of 
Siberian  and  Eastern  Asiatic  forms  which  make  Borneo  their 
winter  home. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  avifauna  of  the  Philippine  Islands 
has  also  been  vastly  increased  since  Mr.  Gould  commenced 
the  present  work.  Many  species  had  been  recorded  by  Son- 
nerat  and  the  older  writers;  but  their  accounts  were  often 
confused  and  meagre,  and  it  was  not  till  the  late  Mr.  Cuming 
had  visited  the  archipelago  that  British  ornithologists  re- 
ceived any  definite  and  trustworthy  information  respecting 
the  birds  of  the  Philippine  Islands.  The  Prussian  expedition 
to  Eastern  Asia  resulted  in  the  publication  of  a  list  of  Philip- 
pine birds  by  Dr.  von  Martens,  which,  however,  was  not 
very  satisfactory ;  but  the  explorations  of  Dr.  A.  B.  Meyer 
were  of  a  more  enduring  importance,  as  it  was  principally  on 
his  collections  that  the  excellent  memoir  on  the  Birds  of 
the  Philippine  Archipelago  by  the  Marquis  of  Tweeddale  was 
founded.  Following  closely  upon  this,  we  ourselves  pub- 
lished a  list  of  the  birds  obtained  by  Dr.  Steere,  who  visited 
many  of  the  islands  on  which  no  naturalist  had  before  set 
foot,  and  whose  collections  contained  a  large  number  of  new 
forms.  Perhaps  the  most  interesting  result  of  Dr.  Steere^s 
expedition  was  the  demonstration  that  the  Philippine  Island 
of  Palawan  possessed  a  distinct  Bornean  and,  therefore,  Ma- 
layan element — a  result  which  has  been  amply  confirmed  by 
Mr.  Alfred  Everett  in  the  same  island.  The  latter  naturalist 
was  sent  by  Lord  Tweeddale  ;  and  his  expedition  has  proved 


60  Inauguration  of  the 

to  be  one  of  the  most  important  ever  undertaken  in  the 
Indian  region.  Like  Dr.  Steere  he  also  visited  many  islands 
not  before  trodden  by  an  ornithologist,  and  obtained  a  large 
number  of  beautiful  novelties. 

Such  is  a  brief  retrospect,  as  far  as  our  experience  allows 
us  to  make  it,  of  the  progress  of  oriental  ornithology  since 
the  year  1850,  Avhen  Mr.  Gould  issued  his  first  part.  Every 
one  must  admit  that  it  would  be  far  easier  now  to  attempt 
such  a  work,  although  so  vast  is  the  extent  of  the  Indian 
region  that  each  year  records  a  large  increase  in  our  know- 
ledge of  Asiatic  birds.  It  would  almost  seem  as  if  we  had 
now  once  more  reached  a  period  of  quiescence,  such  as  super- 
vened upon  the  publication  of  Horsfield  and  Moore^s  '  Cata- 
logue '  and  Jerdon's  '  Birds  of  India.'  Let  us  hope  that  this 
is  not  the  case,  and  that  Mr.  Hume,  who  has  done  so  much 
for  the  increase  of  our  knowledge  of  Indian  birds,  will  not 
allow  his  pen  to  remain  dry,  that  Colonel  Godwin-Austen 
will,  on  the  termination  of  his  present  important  work  on 
Indian  MoUusca,  be  induced  to  give  us  a  connected  catalogue 
of  the  birds  of  North-eastern  Bengal,  that  Captain  Wardlaw 
Ramsay  will  publish  a  catalogue  of  the  Tweeddale  collection, 
and  that  Mr.  Blanford  will  not  allow  his  retirement  from 
India  to  interfere  with  the  publication  of  his  useful  works 
on  the  zoology  of  that  portion  of  the  globe. 

VIII. — Inauguration  of  the  American  Ornithologists*  Union. 

On  the  26ih  of  September  last,  in  pursuance  of  the  notice 
reprinted  in  our  last  Number  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  580),  a  conven- 
tion of  American  ornithologists  was  held  in  the  Library  of 
the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  New  York,  to 
organize  an  American  Ornithologists'  Union.  We  extract 
the  following  account  of  the  proceedings  on  this  important 
occasion  from  the  *  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological 
Club':— 

"  This  call  was  sent  to  a  little  less  than  fifty  of  the  more 
prominent  ornithologists  of  the  United  States  and  Canada, 
selected  mainly  in  reference  to  their  scientific  standing,  but 


American  Ornithologists'  Union.  61 

somewhat  with  regard  to  geographical  representation,  it 
being  desirable  to  make  the  gathering  as  catholic  and  non- 
sectional  as  possible.  Of  the  forty-eight  persons  invited, 
all  but  fourteen  responded — in  each  case  warmly  favouring 
the  project ;  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  in  a  large  part  of 
the  remaining  instances  the  persons  invited  failed,  through 
absence  from  home  or  other  cause,  to  receive  the  call. 
Twenty-five  of  those  heard  from  expressed  their  intention 
to  attend  the  Convention,  and  twenty-one  were  actually 
present.  Following  is  a  list  of  those  in  attendance,  with  the 
States  whence  they  came: — Hon.  Chas.  Aldrich,  Iowa;  H. 
B.  Bailey,  E.  P.  Bicknell,  D.  G.  Elliot,  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher, 
Dr.  J.  B.  Holder,  Dr.  E.  A.  Mearns,  and  Dr.  C.  H.  Merriam, 
New  York;  C.  F.  Batchelder,  W.  Brewster,  C.  B.  Cory,  and 
H.  A.  Purdie,  Massachusetts  ;  Capt.  C.  E.  Bendire,  U.S.A., 
Oregon ;  N.  C.  Brown,  Maine ;  M.  Chamberlain,  New 
Brunswick ;  Dr.  E.  Coues,  Dr.  D.  W.  Prentiss,  and  R. 
Ridgway,  District  of  Columbia;  T.  Mcllwraith,  Canada; 
Dr.  R.  W.  Shufeldt,  U.S.A.,  Louisiana;  Dr.  J.  M.  Wheaton, 
Ohio. 

"  The  Meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Mr.  Brewster,  and 
Dr.  Coues  and  Mr.  Bicknell  were  respectively  elected  tem- 
porary Chairman  and  Secretary.  The  original  call  for  the 
Convention  was  then  read,  and  also  the  list  of  persons  to 
whom  invitations  had  been  sent,  twenty-one  of  whom  were 
present  and  responded.  On  the  motion  of  Dr.  Merriam,  a 
Resolution  was  adopted  to  the  effect  that  those  who  attended 
the  Convention  be  declared  Founders  of  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union,  and  that  this  Union  be  declared  to  be 
hereby  founded.  A  communication  was  then  read  by  the 
Chairman  from  Professor  Baird,  expressing  his  hearty  con- 
currence in  the  objects  of  the  Convention,  and  his  regret  at 
being  unable  to  be  present.  The  Chairman  then  referred  to 
the  eminent  standing  as  naturalists  of  both  Professor  Baird 
and  Mr.  Allen,  and  urged,  notwithstanding  their  enforced 
absence — the  one  by  pressing  official  duties,  the  other  by 
physical  disability — that  these  gentlemen,  in  view  of  their 
connexion  with  the  initial  steps  of  organization,  be  enrolled 


62  Jnauguration  of  the 

among  the  Founders^  raising  the  number  of  Founders  to 
twenty-three.  A  motion  to  this  effect  was  unanimously 
carried.  A  provisional  draft  of  a  Constitution  was  presented 
by  the  Chair  and  read  by  the  Secretary,  On  motion  of  Mr. 
Brewster  it  was  re-read^  discussed,  voted  upon  section  by 
section,  and  finally  adopted  as  a  whole.  Subsequently  one 
of  the  articles  was  reconsidered  and  modified.  As  finally 
adopted,  its  leading  provisions  are  as  follows  : — Members 
are  divided  into  four  classes  :  (1)  Active,  limited  to  fifty  in 
number,  and  to  be  residents  of  the  United  States  or  Canada ; 
(2)  Foreign,  to  be  limited  to  twenty-five,  and  to  be  non- 
residents of  the  United  States  or  Canada ;  (3)  Corresponding, 
eligible  from  any  country,  and  limited  to  one  hundred  ; 
(4)  Associate,  to  be  unlimited  in  number,  and  residents  of 
the  United  States  or  Canada.  Eligibility  to  office  and  the 
right  to  vote  are  restricted  to  Active  Members,  whose  annual 
dues  are  fixed  at  $5*00.  Foreign  and  Corresponding  Mem- 
bers are  enrolled  upon  signifying  acceptance  of  membership. 
Members  of  all  classes  are  entitled  to  present  papers  and 
take  part  in  scientific  discussions. 

"  The  Officers  of  the  Union  consist  of  a  President,  two 
Vice-Presidents,  a  Secretary  and  Treasurer  (combined  in  one 
officer),  and  five  Councillors,  who  together  form  a  Council. 
These  Officers  are  to  be  elected  annually,  at  the  stated 
meetings  of  the  Union.  Stated  meetings  are  to  be  held 
each  year,  at  such  times  and  places  as  the  Union  may  deter- 
mine. Special  meetings  may  be  called  by  the  Council  as 
occasion  may  require.  There  is  also  a  provision  authorizing 
the  Council  to  issue  publications. 

"  Following  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  an  election 
was  held  for  Active,  Foreign,  Corresponding,  and  Associate 
Members,  and  for  Officers  for  the  ensuing  year.  To  the 
list  of  Active  Members  represented  by  the  Founders  were 
added: — W.  B.  Barrows,  G.  B.  Griunell,  and  J.  H.  Sage, 
Connecticut ;  Prof.  F.  E.  L.  Beal,  Iowa ;  J.  Belding  and 
Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper,  California;  R.  Deane  and  Prof.  S.  A. 
Forbes,  Illinois  ;  Col.  N.  S.  Goss,  Kansas  ;  Prof.  T.  N.  Gill, 
H.  W.  Henshaw,  and  Dr.J.  H.  Kidder,  U.S.N.,  District  of 


American  Ornithologists'  Union.  63 

Columbia;  J.  A.  Jeffries^  Massacliusetts ;  Prof.  F.  H.  King, 
Wisconsin ;  Dr.  F.  W.  Langdon^  Ohio ;  G.  N.  Lawrence  and 
N.  T.  Lawrence,  New  York;  Dr.  J.  C.  Merrill,  U.S.A., 
Montana;  Dr.  H.  Nehrling,  Missouri;  E.  W.  Nelson, 
Colorado;  T.  S.  Roberts^  Minnesota;  W.  E.  D.  Scott, 
Arizona;  Hon.  G.  B.  Sennett,  Pennsylvania;  and  W.  E. 
SaunderSj  Canada.  The  number  of  Active  Members  was 
thereby  raised  to  forty-seven. 

"  The  election  for  Officers  resulted  as  follows  : — President, 
J.  A.  Allen;  Vice-Presidents,  Dr.  Elliott  Coues  and  Robert 
Ridgway;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam; 
Councillors^  Prof.  S.  F.  Baird,  G.  N.  Lawrence,  William 
Brewster^  H.  W.  Henshaw,  and  Montague  Chamberlain. 

"■  The  election  of  Foreign  Members  resulted  in  the  choice 
of  the  following  twenty-one  scientists  of  eminence  in  orni- 
thology : — Prof.  J.  V.  Barboza  du  Bocage,  Lisbon ;  Dr.  Jean 
Cabanis,  Berlin;  Mr.  Henry  E.  Dresser,  London;  Dr.  Otto 
Finsch,  Bremen;  Dr.  H.  H,  Giglioli,  Florence;  Dr.  John 
Gundlach^  Cuba;  Mr.  John  Henry  Gurney,  Sen.,  Norwich, 
England;  Dr.  Gustav  Ilartlaub,  Bremen;  Mr.  Allan  O. 
Hume,  Calcutta;  Prof.  Thomas  Henry  Huxley,  London; 
Dr.  Ferdinand  Krauss,  Stuttgart ;  Prof.  Alphonse  Milne- 
Edwards,  Paris  ;  Prof.  Alfred  Newton,  Cambridge,  England ; 
Prof.  William  Kitchen  Parker,  London ;  August  von  Pelzeln, 
Vienna;  Count  Tommaso  Salvadori,  Turin;  Mr.  Osbert 
Salvin,  London ;  Dr.  Hermann  Schlegel,  Leyden ;  Dr. 
Philip  Lutley  Sclater,  London;  Mr.  R.  B.  Sharpe,  London; 
Mr.  Alfred  Russell  Wallace,  London. 

"  The  following  twenty  Corresponding  Members  were 
elected,  further  elections  in  this  class  being  deferred : — 
Count  Hans  von  Berlepsch,  Hesse,  Germany ;  Capt.  Thomas 
Blaldston,  Hakodadi,  Japan ;  Mr.  Walter  Bul]er,  Wel- 
lington, New  Zealand;  Mr.  Robert  Collett,  Christiania, 
Norway ;  Mr.  J.  J.  Dalgleisch,  Edinburgh ;  M.  le  Pere 
Armand  David,  Paris ;  Mr.  Percy  Evans  Freke,  Dundrum, 
Ireland ;  Mr.  F.  DuCane  Godman,  London ;  M.  Alfred 
Grandidier,  Paris;  Mr.  John  Henry  Gurney,  Jun.,  Norwich, 
England;    Mr.  J.  Edmund   Harting,   London;    Mr.  J.  A. 


64  Inauguration  of  the 

Harvie-Brown,  Larbert,  Scotland;  Mr.  J.  Douglas  Ogilby, 
Ireland;  M.  Emile  Oustalet^  Paris;  Prof.  J.  A.  Palmen  ; 
Mr.  Harry  Pryer,  Yokohama,  Japan  ;  Mr.  Howard  Saunders, 
London ;  Mr.  Henry  Seeboliin,  Loudon ;  Mr.  Leonhard 
Stejneger,  Alaska;  Mr.  Henry  T.  Wharton,  London. 

"  Eighty-seven  ornithologists  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada  were  elected  Associate  Members. 

"  During  the  Session  of  the  Convention,  aside  from  the 
work  of  organization  and  elections.  Committees  were  appointed 
by  the  Chair  to  take  in  hand  the  consideration  of  various 
important  subjects,  and  to  present  reports  upon  them  at  the 
next  Annual  Meeting. 

"  The  most  important  of  these — '  A  Revision  of  the  Classi- 
fication and  Nomenclature  of  North-American  Birds  ' — was 
referred  to  a  Committee  of  five,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Coues, 
Allen,  Ridgway,  Brewster,  and  Henshaw.  A  Committee 
was  also  appointed  on  the  *  Migration  of  Birds,^  to  cooperate 
with  Mr.  W.  W.  Cooke  in  connexion  with  his  work  on  this 
subject  in  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  consists  of  the  following 
gentlemen,  with  power  to  add  to  their  number  : — Merriam, 
Brown,  Purdie,  Wheaton,  Chamberlain,  Grinnell,  Henshaw, 
Cory,  Merrill,  Fisher,  Bicknell,  Mearns,  and  Mcllwraith. 
A  Committee  on  '  Avian  Anatomy '  consists  of  Shufeldt, 
Coues,  Jeff'ries,  and  Merriam ;  another,  on  '  Oology,'  of 
Bendire,  Bailey,  Brewster,  Ridgway,  and  Merrill.  A  Com- 
mittee was  also  appointed  ^to  investigate  the  eligibility  or 
ineligibility  of  the  European  House- Sparrow  in  America,' 
consisting  of  Holder,  Purdie,  Chamberlain,  Brown,  and 
Bicknell,  with  power  to  increase  its  membership  at  its  dis- 
cretion. Finally,  a  sixth  Committee  was  appointed  to  con- 
sider the  subject  of  '  Faunal  Areas,'  on  which  were  placed 
Allen,  Ridgway,  Bicknell,  Merriam,  Fisher,  and  Mearns. 

"  Resolutions  of  thanks  were  tendered  to  the  Trustees  of 
the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History,  for  use  of  rooms 
during  the  Session  of  the  Union  and  for  other  favours  so 
courteously  rendered;  to  Prof.  A.  S.  Bickmore  and  Dr.  J.  B. 
Holder,  for  many  kind  attentions  personally  rendered  to  the 
Members  ;  and  to  Mr.  E.  P.  Bicknell,  for  his  ser\T.ces  on  the 


American  Ornithologists^  Union.  65 

'  Committee  of  Arrangements  '  for  the  Meeting  and  for  the 
promptness  and  thoroughness  with  which  he  executed  the 
duties  of  this  position.  A  Resolution  of  thanks  was  also 
tendered  the  signers  of  the  call^  in  their  capacity  as  a  '  Com- 
mittee of  Organization/  for  their  zeal  and  efficiency  in 
issuing  the  call  for  the  Meeting,  as  well  as  for  the  thorough 
and  systematic  preparation  they  were  able  to  make  for  the 
speedy  and  satisfactory  transaction  of  the  business  incident 
to  the  organization  of  the  Union. 

"  The  Session  of  the  Convention  occupied  three  days,  and 
was  marked  throughout  with  the  utmost  harmony.  At 
adjournment  (subject  to  the  call  of  the  Council),  hearty 
expressions  of  satisfaction  with  the  results  of  the  Session 
were  heard  from  all  who  had  shared  in  its  deliberations. 
The  general  good-feeling  rose  to  a  degree  of  enthusiasm 
auguring  well  for  the  future  work  and  prosperity  of  the 
Union,  the  organization  of  which  under  such  auspicious 
circumstances  cannot  fail  to  mark  an  important  era  in  the 
progress  of  Ornithology  in  America. 

'^  As  already  stated,  the  matter  of  Publications  was  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  Council,  by  which  body  the  subject  was 
duly  weighed  after  the  adjournment  of  the  Union.  Naturally 
the  question  of  an  organ  in  the  form  of  a  serial  publication 
was  the  first  to  present  itself,  and  the  impression  was  general 
that  such  a  publication  must  prove  indispensable  to  the  work 
of  the  Union.  It  was  accordingly  voted  to  establish  such  a 
journal,  its  publication  to  begin  January  1884.  Mr.  Allen 
was  chosen  editor,  to  be  assisted  by  a  staff  of  associate- 
editors,  likewise  selected  by  the  Council,  who  are  collectively 
to  decide  the  character  of  the  periodical,  and  to  whom  will  be 
entrusted  its  management. 

"  It  may  be  further  announced  in  the  present  connexion 
that,  upon  this  action  being  known,  it  became  a  question 
with  the  members  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club  whether 
the  Nuttall  Club  should  continue  to  publish  an  organ  which, 
under  the  new  conditions,  could  only  be  a  rival  of  that  of  the 
Union.  The  two  organizations  being  virtually  one  in  interest 
and  purpose  (the  later  being  to  some  extent  an  outgrowth  of 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  F 


66  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

the  earlier),  and  necessarily  identical  in  membership  insofar 
as  can  be  the  case  Avhere  a  greater  includes  a  lesser,  the 
Nuttall  Club,  at  a  meeting  held  October  1,  voted  to  dis- 
continue its  '  Bulletin '  with  the  close  of  the  present  volume', 
and  to  offer  to  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  its  good- 
will and  subscription-list — to  place  the  '  Bulletin '  in  the 
hands  of  the  Council  of  the  Union,  with  its  traditions  and 
prestige,  with  the  tacit  understanding  that  the  new  serial  of 
the  Union  shall  be  ostensibly  a  second  series  of  the  Nuttall 
*  Bulletin/  It  is  therefore  to  be  hoped  and  expected  that 
the  many  friends  of  the  '  Bulletin '  who  have  hitherto  given 
it  such  hearty  support  will  extend  their  allegiance  to  the  new 
publication  of  the  Union,  freely  contribute  their  observations 
to  its  pages,  and  use  their  influence  to  extend  its  usefulness." 


IX. — Rough  Notes  on  Spanish  Ornithology. 
By  Abel  Chapman. 

(Plate  IV.) 

The  following  rough  notes  on  Spanish  ornithology  are  the 
result  of  observations  extending  over  a  period  of  some  four- 
teen or  fifteen  months,  at  different  times,  in  the  Peninsula. 
They  refer  chiefly  to  Andalucia,  where  I  spent  two  springs, 
and  which  province,  from  its  geographical  position  between 
Europe  and  Africa,  as  well  as  from  the  richness  and  great 
variety  of  its  natural  features,  is  probably  unsurpassed  as 
regards  its  avifauna  by  any  similar  extent  of  ground  in 
Europe. 

I  find  the  work  of  Spanish  ornithology  already  so  far 
advanced  by  Lord  Lilford,  Mr.  Howard  Saunders,  and  Col. 
Irby  that,  at  least  so  far  as  the  enumeration  of  native  species 
goes,  there  remains  little  to  be  desired.  Mr.  Saunders  (Ibis, 
1871,  p.  54etseg.)  and  Col.  Irby  (Orn.  Straits  of  Gibr.)  have 
compiled  accurate  and  comprehensive  lists  of  the  birds  of 
Southern  Spain,  which,  according  to  my  observations,  com- 
prise all  or  nearly  all  those  species  which  can  be  considered 
either    indigenous    or    migratory    to    that    country.       No 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  .  67 

doubt  more  extended  observations  would  result  iu  some 
additions  to  their  lists ;  but  such  could  only  or  mainly,  I 
think,  be  the  accidental  occurrences  of  stragglers  from  Africa 
or  Eastern  Europe.  Therefore  I  now  propose  to  supplement 
the  work  of  the  above  ornithologists  by  notes  of  my  personal 
observations  of  such  species  as  I  met  with,  arranged,  as  nearly 
as  may  be  convenient,  in  the  different  years  in  datal  sequence. 
During  two  springs  my  ''  base  of  operations  "  was  the  city 
of  Jerez  de  la  Frontcra,  in  Andalucia,  and  the  first  expedition 
to  the  Sierra  de  Jerez  for  a  week^s  boar-shooting.  This 
sierra,  a  spur  of  the  Nevada  range,  at  a  point  about  thirty 
miles  east  of  Jerez  trends  to  the  southward,  and  finally  ends 
in  our  noble  fortress  of  Gibraltar.  Riding  out,  on  the  26th 
of  March,  through  the  sandy  vine-clad  zone  which  surrounds 
the  city  of  Jerez,  the  most  conspicuous  birds  were  the  Black- 
start  (Ruticilla  titys) ,  everywhere  flitting  about  the  hedges  of 
cactus  and  prickly  pear,  and  the  Woodchat  perched  on  the  top- 
most lobe ;  up  and  down  the  tall  flowering  stalks  of  the  aloe 
climbed  Blue  and  Great  Tits.  Further  out,  on  the  plains 
of  palmetto-scrub,  our  Common  Stonechats  and  Wheatears 
of  two  species  {Saxicola  aurita  and  S.  stapazind)  abounded  ; 
but  certainly  the  most  numerous  species  was  the  Common 
Bunting  [Emberiza  miliaria).  The  number  of  this  bird 
throughout  Spain  is  incalculable ;  wherever  one  may  be, 
there  are  the  "  Trigueros  ''■'  in  thousands,  and  their  harsh 
monotonous  scream  is  positively  irritating  in  its  ceaselessness. 
The  Alaudidse  were  also  represented  by  many  Calandra  and 
Short-toed  Larks;  and  along  the  sandy  lanes  the  Crested 
Larks  were  busily  dusting  themselves.  It  is  worth  noting 
that  our  common  Skj^-Lark  and  Meadow-Pipit,  and  also  the 
Song-Thrush,  all  of  which  are  abundant  in  winter  in  Spain, 
had  already  proceeded  north  to  breed ;  whilst  Turdus  merula 
and  Emberiza  miliaria  are  resident  in  that  country.  A  few 
Redstarts  were  observed,  and  numerous  lively  flocks  of 
Goldfinches  flitted  by.  For  several  leagues  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  sierra  our  course  lay  through  undulating  wooded 
plains  of  exquisite  beauty.  Here  the  characteristic  species 
were  Rollers,  newly  arrived.   Southern   Grey  Shrikes,    aod 

t2 


68  Mr.  A.  Cliapmau's  Rough  Notes 

Black  Kites,  three  or  four  of  which  were  constantly  soaring 
within  sight,  while  the  familiar  notes  of  Cuckoo  and  Cushat 
reminded  one  of  home. 

Towards  evening  we  entered  the  rugged  defiles  of  the 
sierra^  the  towering  ranges  of  which,  surrounding  us  on 
every  side,  bore  unmistakable  evidence  of  their  long  struggles 
with  glacial  ice  in  bygone  ages.  Each  tall  slope  consisted  of 
a  regular  series  of  vertical  bastions,  or  buttresses,  extending 
nearly  to  the  summit,  and  alternating  with  deep  glens  in 
singular  uniformity.  The  conformation  of  these  sierras 
recalled  irresistibly  to  my  recollection  the  distant  valleys  of 
Spitzbergen,  where  I  have  seen  the  power  of  ice  in  actual 
operation  and  carving  out  those  dreary  arctic  hills  after  pre- 
cisely the  same  pattern.  Here,  however,  dense  jungle  had 
long  taken  the  place  of  snow,  and  the  wild  boar  now  occupied 
strongholds  vfhere  possibly  the  reindeer  had  once  ranged  in 
search  of  scanty  lichen. 

Of  birds,  the  most  conspicuous  were  the  Griffon  Vultures  ; 
in  small  parties  of  six  or  eight,  these  huge  birds  maintain  an 
incessant  surveillance  of  the  sierras.  In  the  short  periods  of 
our  "  drives "  (perhaps  an  hour)  I  often  noticed  the  same 
beat  explored  by  two  or  even  three  parties.  They  hunt  the 
sierras  comparatively  low,  thus  ditfering  widely  from  the 
enormous  altitudes  at  which  their  patrols  search  the  plains. 
These  Vultiu'es  breed  gregariously ;  and  in  a  high  range  of 
limestone-crags  at  the  Boca  de  la  Foz,  a  fine  abrupt  chasm 
separating  the  Sierras  del  Valle  and  de  las  Cabras,  I  reached 
several  nests.  They  were  moderately  large  flat  structures  of 
sticks,  placed  on  narrow  ledges  in  the  face  of  the  crags. 
None  contained  eggs  on  28th  March.  The  old  birds,  when 
shot,  have  a  most  offensive  smell ;  their  claws  and  long 
feathers  are  much  abraded  by  attrition  on  the  rocks,  and 
their  whole  plumage  has  a  worn  and  faded  appearance  in 
harmony  with  the  decay  and  death  in  which  they  rejoice.  Of 
other  birds  observed  in  the  sierra  in  March,  the  Blue  Thrush 
and  Bla<^k  Chat  were  abundant,  sevei'al  colonies  of  Rock- 
Martin  [Cotyle  rupfislris,  as  well  as  such  common  species  as 
Red-legged    Partridge,    Blackbird,   &c.      A   pair  of  Golden 


on  Spanish  Orniihology .  69 

Eagles  frequented  the  Boca  de  la  Foz,  apparently  contem- 
plating a  nest  there.  In  this  chasm  we  killed  a  boar  av  eighing 
185  lb.,  and  observed  several  wild  cats  and  ichneumons.  On 
the  31st  a  large  arrival  of  Bee-eaters  [Merops  apiaster)  took 
place. 

About  the  end  of  March  is  a  favourable  season  for  Bustard- 
shooting.  These  birds  abound  in  the  great  rolling  corn- 
lands,  where  the  wheat  is  at  that  time  sufficiently  grown  to 
cover  the  hidden  guns,  but  not  these  great  birds  when  feeding 
— i.  e.  nearly  girth-deep.  Bustards  feed  morning  and  evening; 
from  10  A.M.  till  about  3  p.m.  they  lie  down  in  the  corn  for  a 
siesta  during  the  heat  of  the  day.  It  is  then  mere  chance- 
work  finding  them ;  and  to  make  sure  of  a  shot  it  is  there- 
fore necessary  to  send  men  the  night  before,  who  mark  the 
positions  of  the '^  bandadas,^'  which  are  then  driven  according 
to  wind  and  local  conditions.  The  Bustards  are  in  com- 
panies of  from  five  to  fifty,  males  and  females  together,  and 
feed  principally  on  the  green  blades  of  wheat,  but  are  also 
very  fond  of  the  profusion  of  seeds  which  are  ripening  in 
those  wildernesses  of  weeds  Avhicli  the  Spanish  farmer  calls 
"  manchon  "  or  fallow.  Habitually  occupying  much  more 
land  than  he  is  able  to  cultivate,  the  Spanish  farmer  is 
thereby  driven  to  adopt  what  he  calls  a  "three-years'  system,''' 
only  raising  a  crop  every  third  yeai- ;  this  leaves  the  re- 
maining land  to  exhaust  itself  by  a  prodigious  crop  of  weeds 
during  two  years.  Thus  two  thirds  of  the  productive  power 
is  wasted,  and  the  "  mano  negra "  and  agrarian  discontent 
flourish  in  lieu  of  corn,  oil,  and  wine.  The  Bustard  at  least 
benefit  by  the  "  system,^'  and  the  brilliancy  and  variety  of 
the  wild  flowers  are  a  wonderful  sight. 

The  flight  of  the  Bustards  is  strikingly  powerful ;  they  are  not 
very  "  hard  "  birds,  but  have  a  keen  eye  for  concealed  danger 
in  their  course ;  and,  as  a  rule,  if  one  sees  them  coming  they 
also  have  seen  you,  and  at  once  sheer  off".  My  friend  Mr.  W. 
J.  Buck,  of  Jerez,  who  is  a  master  of  the  art,  has  killed  as 
many  as  fifty  or  sixty  in  a  season.  I  do  not  think  they  are 
migratory,  but  shift  their  ground  according  to  the  season.  I 
once  saw  seven  of  them  in  May  in  the  heart  of  the  Sierra  de 


70  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

Ronda^  steadily  winging  their  way  high  over  those  lofty 
peaks. 

Towards  the  end  of  May  the  Great  Bustards  moult  heavily, 
losing  nearly  all  their  quills  together.  They  are  then  unable 
to  fly,  and  to  this  circumstance  is  probably  owing  the  tradi- 
tional idea  of  their  having  formerly  been  coursed  with  grey- 
hounds. Except  at  this  season  they  could  no  more  be  killed 
in  that  way  than  could  a  Wild  Goose.  A  magnificent  old 
male  was  brought  into  Jerez^  except  for  his  wings,  in  beau- 
tiful plumage,  and  with  the  gorgeous  chestnut  ruff  in  perfect 
order. 

There  are  not  many  other  birds  on  these  monotonous  corn- 
lands.  A  few  Quails  and  Little  Bustards,  the  usual  hosts  of 
Larks  and  Buntings,  and  now  and  then  a  Montagues  Harrier, 
mostly  the  handsome  males^,  looking  almost  white  in  the 
sunshine,  are  all  one  sees.  I  should  not,  however,  omit  the 
Storks,  a  pair  of  which  frequent  each  "  cortijo/''  where  the 
female  is  then  sitting  on  her  eggs  on  the  straw-thatched 
roof. 

My  next  expedition  was  to  the  ''  marismas  "  of  the  Gua- 
dalquivir, lying  to  the  westward  of  Jerez.  We  have  in 
English  no  equivalent  to  the  Spanish  ''  marisma  -j"  and  the 
region  is  so  peculiar,  both  physically  and  ornithologically,  as 
to  require  a  short  description.  If  the  reader  will  look  at  a 
map  of  Spain  there  will  be  noticed  a  large  tract  on  the  lower 
Guadalquivir  totally  void  of  names  of  villages  &c.  From 
Lebrija  on  the  east  to  Almonte  on  the  west,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  almost  up  to  Seville  itself,  the  map  is  vacant ;  this 
huge  district  is,  in  fact,  a  wilderness,  and  in  winter  the 
greater  part  of  it  is  a  dismal  waste  of  water.  For  league 
after  league,  as  one  advances  into  its  forbidding  desolation, 
the  eye  rests  on  nothing  but  water — water  meeting  the  sky 
all  round  the  horizon.  The  Guadalquivir  intersects  the 
marisma,  its  triple  channel  divided  from  the  adjacent  waters 
by  low  mudbanks.  The  water  of  the  marisma  is  fresh,  or 
nearly    so,    quite    drinkable,    and  has   a  varying    depth    of 

*  Possibly  some  of  these  were  C.  cijaneus  or  C.  pallidus,  but  thowSe 
obtained  iverw  all  ot  the  above-mentioued  species. 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  71 

1  to  2  feet,  according  to  the  season.  Here  and  there  slight 
elevations  of  the  muddy  bottom  form  low  islands,  varying 
from  a  few  yards  to  thousands  of  acres  in  extent,  covered 
with  coarse  grass,  thistles^  and  bog-plants,  and  frequented  in 
spring  by  great  numbers  of  interesting  birds.  As  the  hot 
weather  sets  in,  the  water  gradually  evaporates,  and  by  the 
middle  of  June  little  remains  but  in  pools.  The  maris  ma  is 
then  a  vast  flat  plain  of  dry  mud,  scorched  and  cracked  in  all 
directions  by  the  fierce  summer  sun.  A  coarse  herbage 
springs  up,  and  near  the  water-holes  beds  of  rank  reeds  form 
the  nurseries  of  the  Heron  tribe. 

In  winter  the  marisma  abounds  with  wildfowl,  chiefly  Grey 
Geese,  Duck,  Wigeon,  Pintail,  and  Teal.  So  great  are  their 
numbers  that  a  class  of  professional  gunners  willingly  pay  a 
small  rent  for  the  privilege  of  shooting,  and  earn  a  subsistence 
thereby  up  to  the  end  of  March — this,  too,  although  their 
artillery  and  appliances  are  of  the  most  primitive  description. 

Early  in  April  I  spent  eight  or  ten  days  in  the  marisma, 
cruising  about  in  punts.  The  Geese  and  Wigeon  had  then 
entirely  disappeared,  but  passage-Ducks  were  still  numerous 
in  large  flights  on  the  open  water;  these  were  principally 
Mallard,  with  Pochard  and  Pintail,  and  probably  other 
species.  The  local-breeding  Mallard  were  already  in  pairs 
along  the  rushy  edges  of  the  marisma,  though  not  yet  sitting. 
In  addition  to  the  species  above  named  we  obtained  a  Sho- 
veller and  several  Crested  Ducks.  As  late  as  13th  April  I 
shot  a  Scoter  drake  {(Edemia  nigra)  on  the  Guadalquivir. 
These  black  ducks  were  very  numerous  in  Avinter  along  the 
coast  of  Portugal.  I  was  also  shown,  as  a  curiosity,  a  Cor- 
morant which  had  been  shot  a  day  or  two  previously. 

One  cannot  go  far  into  the  marisma  without  seeing  that 
extraordinary  fowl  the  Flamingo,  certainl}^  the  most  charac- 
teristic bird  of  the  wilderness.  In  herds  of  300  to  500, 
several  of  which  are  often  in  sight  at  once,  they  stand  feeding 
in  the  open  water,  all  their  heads  under,  greedily  tearing 
up  the  grasses  and  water-plants  from  the  bottom.  On 
approaching  them,  which  can  only  be  done  by  extreme 
caution,   their  silence  is  first  broken  by  the  sentries,  who 


72  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

commence  walking  away  with  low  croaks;  then  the  whole 
five  hundred  necks  rise  at  once  to  the  full  extent^  every  bird 
gaggling  his  loudest  as  they  walk  obliquely  away,  looking 
back  over  their  shoulders  as  though  to  take  stock  of  the 
extent  of  the  danger.  Pushing  a  few  yards  forward,  up  they 
all  rise,  and  a  more  beautiful  sight  cannot  be  imagined  than 
the  simultaneous  spreading  of  their  thousand  crimson  wings, 
flashing  against  the  sky  like  a  gleam  of  rosy  light.  Then 
one  descends  to  the  practical,  and  a  volley  of  slugs  cuts 
a  lane  through  their  phalanx. 

In  many  respects  these  birds  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to 
Geese.  Like  them.  Flamingos  feed  by  day ;  and  great 
quantities  of  grass  &c.  are  alw^ays  floating  about  the  muddy 
water  where  a  herd  has  been  feeding.  Their  cry  is  almost 
undistinguishable  from  the  gaggling  of  Geese,  and  they  fly 
in  the  same  catenarian  formations.  The  irides  of  the  oldest 
individuals  are  very  pale  lemon-yellow ;  the  bare  skin  next 
the  eye  is  also  yellow,  and  the  whole  plumage  beautiiully 
sufi'used  with  warm  pink.  In  the  young  birds  of  one  year 
(which  do  not  breed)  this  pink  is  entirely  absent,  and  even 
their  wings  bear  but  slight  traces  of  it.  The  secondaries  and 
tertiaries  of  these  immature  birds  are  barred  irregularly  with 
black  spots  ;  and  their  legs,  bills,  and  eyes  are  of  a  dull  lead- 
colour.  In  size,  Flamingos  vary  greatly;  the  largest  1  have 
measured  was  fully  6  feet  5  inches,  while  others  (old  red 
birds)  bai'ely  reached  5  feet. 

As  we  advanced  into  the  marisma,  bird-life  became  even 
more  abundant.  Besides  the  Ducks  and  Flamingos,  flocks 
of  long-legged  Stilts  fairly  whitened  the  water,  and  members 
of  the  Heron  tribe  w^ere  conspicuous,  principally,  I  think.  Buff- 
backed  Herons,  Egrets,  and  Spoonbills.  The  latter,  however, 
were  very  wild  and  restless,  and  all  my  efforts  to  get  within 
reach  failed.  About  the  small  mud-islands  were  immense 
flights  of  Dunlins  in  full  breeding-plumage,  smaller  ones  com- 
posed of  Kentish  Plovers  and  Lesser  Ring-Dotterels  mixed 
with  Redshanks  and  Pewits,  the  two  latter  paii'cd.  Green- 
shanks  and  Knots  I  did  not  meet  with  then,  though  a  month 
later  (in  May)  I  found  both  species,  together  with  Whimbrels, 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  73 

Grey  Plovers^  and  Curlew  Sandpipers.  On  the  8th  of  April  the 
Pratincoles  arrived^  and  after  that  date  they  were  abundant 
all  over  the  dry  mud  and  sand,  feeding  on  beetles.  Their 
beak  has  a  very  wide  gape,  which  is  bordered  with  a  margin 
of  deep  vermilion.  Sometimes  twenty  or  thirty  of  these 
birds  would  cast  themselves  down  on  the  mud  all  round  one, 
and  all  lie  down  head  to  wind,  much  as  a  Nightjar  squats  on 
the  sand.  They  resemble  a  Tern  while  standing,  a  Plover 
when  running,  and  on  summer  evenings  hawk  after  insects 
like  a  Swallow. 

No  Avocets  were  seen  till  April  13th,  when  I  shot  three 
out  of  a  large  flight.  One  of  these  was  much  smaller  than 
the  others  and  proved  a  male,  the  larger  pair  being  male  and 
female.  This  discrepancy  in  size  appeared  not  unusual. 
They  are  singularly  restless  birds,  active  and  sprightly  iu 
all  their  movements.  Their  cry  is  a  short,  sharp,  "jerky'' 
pipe;  the  Stilt's  is  a  harsh  croak.  Both  species  fly  with  the 
long  legs  extended.  The  latter  vary  considerably  in  the  dis- 
position of  black  and  white,  especially  on  the  head  and  neck. 
Some  few  have  roseate  breasts.  The  Stilts  are  surface- 
feeders,  never  putting  their  heads  under ;  and  as,  owing  to 
the  extreme  length  of  their  legs,  they  cannot  reach  the 
ground  with  their  bills,  they  necessarily  feed  in  water  about 
knee-deep.  On  the  same  day  (April  13th)  numbers  of  Little 
Terns  {Sterna  minuta)  appeared,  gracefully  hovering  over  the 
weedy  water.  The  larger  Whiskered  Tern  {Hydrochelidon 
hybrida)  had  been  frequently  observed  previously.  Along 
the  rushy  edges  of  the  marisma,  bordering  the  Goto  de  Doiiana, 
BuflF-backed  and  Squacco  Herons  were  numerous,  the  former 
frequently  sitting  on  the  backs  of  the  half- wild  cattle,  where 
they  resort  to  feed  on  the  ticks  and  "  warbles,"  as  farmers 
call  what,  I  believe,  is  the  embryo  gadfly.  The  Herons  often 
appear  fast  asleep  in  this  strange  position,  their  heads  snugly 
tucked  under  their  back-feathers,  their  long  toes  and  strong 
claws  enabling  them  to  sit  thus  securely.  Scattered  about  in 
the  shallow  water  were  pairs  of  Little  Egrets ;  these  and 
the  Squacco  Herons  seem  to  feed  on  the  large  water-beetles, 
often  plunging  their  heads  under  water  to  catch  them  as  they 


74.  Mr,  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

dive.  Towards  Rocio,  where  the  reed-beds  are  very  extensive, 
"we  met  with  the  Purple  Heron.  I  found  a  nest,  with  one 
egg,  as  early  as  9th  April ;  it  was  merely  an  armful  of  the 
tops  of  the  long  reeds  bent  down.  This  egg  was  longer  and 
of  a  deeper  shade  than  those  of  Ardea  cinerea.  About  these 
reed-beds  Little  and  Eared  Grebes  were  tolerably  plentiful, 
and  Coots  very  numerous.  The  nests  of  the  latter,  floating 
in  4  feet  of  water,  contained  eggs  as  early  as  31st  March  and 
furnished  us  with  many  a  breakfast.  The  Grebes  were  only 
beginning  to  assume  their  summer  plumage. 

The  night  of  April  10th  I  spent  at  Rocio,  being  rather 
tired  of  the  cold  and  comfortless  nights,  sub  Jove,  in  the 
marisma,  where  an  upturned  punt  afforded  but  scant  shelter 
from  the  piercing  winds  of  the  "  small  hours."  It  was  hardly 
a  change  for  the  better,  as  a  more  miserable  ague-stricken 
spot  I  never  beheld,  and  in  a  Spanish  "  posada  "  man  and 
beast  are  reckoned  exactly  equal  in  relation  to  the  "  accom- 
modation ''  (?)  they  require.  However,  the  four-league  tramp 
through  sandy  scrub-covered  plains  was  a  relief  from  the 
monotonous  marisma,  and  there  were  fresh  birds  for  a 
change.  Hoopoes  and  Golden  Orioles  y>^ere  observed  for  the 
first  time,  and  Rollers,  Southern  Grey  Shrikes,  and  Turtle- 
doves abounded.  A  pair  of  Spotted  Woodpeckers  (?sp.)  and  a 
single  Azure-winged  Magpie  were  the  only  instances  of  their 
occurrence  I  have  met  with  ;  the  latter,  however,  is  abun- 
dant further  inland.  It  was  near  Rocio  also  that  I  obtained 
the  Red-backed  Shrike  [Lanius  collurio),  which  species  had 
not  previously  been  recorded  in  Southern  Spain,  though 
there  is  a  specimen  in  the  museum  of  Jerez,  said  to  have 
been  shot  near  that  city. 

The  next  bird  obtained  was  a  Great  Spotted  Cuckoo,  and 
shortly  afterwards,  while  sitting  at  lunch,  a  fine  female  Hen- 
Ilarrier  {Circus  cyaneus).  This  was  the  last  I  saw  of  this 
species,  which  does  not  remain  to  breed  in  the  south  of  Spain. 
They  are  not  uncommon  in  winter,  and  I  frequently  saw 
them  while  Snipe-shooting.  On  the  morning  of  the  11th,  at 
a  wooded  swamp  called  La  Rocina,  I  shot  a  Black  Kite  and  a 
female    Booted  Eagle,  which   passed    within    reach    as    she 


on  Spmiish  Ornithology.  75 

hunted  the  marsh.  The  next  day  I  obtained  a  nest  of  the 
latter,  built  in  the  first  fork  of  a  big  cork-tree,  and  contain- 
ing one  AThite  egg. 

April  10th.  In  the  course  of  a  long  day^s  ride  up  the 
valley  of  the  Guadalquivir  I  found  seven  or  eight  nests  of  the 
Egyptian  Vulture  on  the  cliffs  which  overhang  that  river. 
They  were  placed  in  holes  in  the  face  of  the  crags,  and,  from 
the  rottenness  of  the  rock,  were  mostly  inaccessible;  but 
eventually  we  reached  two.  The  nests  were  made  of  rags  and 
wool,  no  sticks,  and  were  furnished  with  a  most  malodorous 
larder.  In  the  first  were  two  eggs,  differing  considerably  in 
size  and  colour  :  the  larger  one  was  dull  neutral  brown;  the 
other  as  richly  marked  as  a  Peregrine^s.  I  took  another 
handsome  egg  from  this  nest  a  month  later.  The  bare  skin 
on  the  face  of  these  Vultures  is  bright  orange-yellow,  bill 
horn-colour,  and  legs  flesh-colour. 

In  the  highest  crag  of  this  ridge  were  a  number  of  Griffons; 
but  they  were  not  nesting.  None  do  so  outside  the  sierra,  the 
blue  peaks  of  which  lay  some  fifteen  miles  distant  to  the  east- 
ward. The  large  Vultures  appear  to  use  this  clift'  as  a  resting- 
place.  In  a  lower  part  of  the  range  a  pair  of  Golden  Eagles 
had  had  a  nest,  or  rather  nests,  for  there  were  two  of  tliem, 
which  I  was  told  they  used  alternately.  The  old  Eagles  had 
been  shot ;  but  I  saw  the  nests,  about  forty  yards  apart — 
immense  structures  of  sticks  placed  on  ledges  of  the  crag. 
These  cliffs  were  also  tenanted  by  a  colony  of  Genets. 
Their  lower  slopes  were  now  resplendent  with  acres  of  rhodo- 
dendrons, just  bursting  into  bloom.  To-day  a  considerable 
arrival  of  Nightingales  occurred ;  I  have,  however,  seen  them 
abundant  by  April  4th. 

Beyond  the  marisma,  on  the  west,  lies  the  Goto  de  Donana, 
a  sandy  well- wooded  district^  uninhabited,  and  abounding  in 
game,  both  large  and  small.  On  12th  April,  at  the  head  of 
a  small  cavalcade  provisioned  for  a  ten-days^  sojourn  in  those 
wilds,  I  set  out  thither,  via  San  Lucar,  Our  first  find  was  a 
nest  of  the  Short-toed  or  (more  appropriately)  Serpent- 
Eagle,  in  a  big  stone-pine.  This,  like  all  the  nests  of  this 
Eagle  I  have  seen,  was  small,  very  thick  in  proportion  to 


76  Mr.  A.  Ohapman^s  Rough  Notes 

width,  had  a  layer  of  dead  leaves,  and  then  a  lining  of  twigs. 
This  species  invariably  lays  but  one  large  white  e^^ ;  hence 
probably  the  relative  smallness  of  their  nests.  Below  are 
always  strewn  many  vertebrse  of  serpents.  A  female  I  shot 
had  a  snake  over  4  feet  long  in  her  beak,  only  a  few  inches 
hanging  outside ;  another  had  a  rabbit ;  but  snakes  and  large 
reptiles  are  their  principal  food.  The  former  are  very 
numerous,  many  reaching  6  feet  in  length ;  and  I  killed 
lizards  exceeding  3  feet.  The  legs  and  feet  of  this  Eagle  are 
pale  blue;  flight  buoyant,  but  rather  unsteady ;  and  they  show 
very  white  from  below.  I  also  found  this  species  nesting  in 
mountain-forests  in  the  sierra. 

In  the  Dofiana  the  Red  Kite  {Milvus  ictinus)  is  rather 
numerous,  and  my  first  day's  work  (April  15th)  yielded 
five  or  six  of  their  nests  :  they  were  all  built  in  the  scattered 
cork-trees,  and  each  contained  two  eggs — some  fresh,  others 
a  good  deal  incubated.  I  was  rather  disappointed  in  the 
eggs  of  this  fine  species ;  several  clutches  were  but  faintly 
marked,  and  one  was  absolutely  white.  In  each  case  I  shot 
or  trapped  one  or  both  of  the  old  birds  at  the  nest.  In  the 
males  the  beak  was  invariably  yellow  almost  to  the  tip, 
whereas  that  colour  in  the  females  was  confined  to  the  cere, 
the  rest  of  the  beak  being  horn-colour.  Their  well-known 
habit  of  sticking  a  collection  of  gaudy  rags  and  rubbish  on 
the  branches  round  the  nest  was  very  useful  in  saving  many 
an  unnecessary  climb.  No  nest  was  worth  going  up  to  unless 
a  rag  or  two  fluttered  in  the  breeze.  In  one  case  I  found  a 
dead  and  dried  "White  Owl  hung  up;  in  others  quills  of 
Spoonbill  and  other  birds,  old  match-boxes,  &c.  The  Bla(;k 
Kite  (M.  migrans)  is  more  numerous,  but  breeds  later.  I  did 
not  find  their  eggs  till  April  21st ;  and  early  in  May,  in  the 
deliciously  redolent  pine-forest  of  La  Marismilla,  took  a 
large  series,  shooting  most  of  the  old  birds  ofl:'  their  nests. 
Their  eggs  are  fully  as  large  and  as  richly  marked  as  those 
of  the  Red  Kite,  from  which  they  are  quite  undistinguishable. 
Neither  species  makes  any  lining  to  its  nest ;  and  only  once 
ill  each  case  did  I  find  the  dual  nmnbcrof  offspring  exceeded, 
namely,  M.  ictinus,  three  young,  May  2nd,  and  3/.  migrans, 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  77 

three  eggs,  May  10th.  The  latter  appears  to  prefer  the 
forests  for  nidification  to  the  scattered  trees,  in  which  were 
most  of  the  nests  of  M.  ictinus. 

On  the  wing  the  Ked  Kite  shows  a  broad  white  band 
across  the  underside  of  the  wings,  caused  by  the  basal  half  of 
the  primaries  being  white  below.  In  M.  migrans  this  band 
is  grey ;  the  tail  of  the  latter  is  also  much  less  forked  and  is 
darker  underneath"^. 

For  capturing  these  and  the  other  Raptores  the  circular 
steel  traps  were  invaluable,  being  absolutely  certain  and 
saving  much  time.  Besides,  the  miseries  of  a  "  puesto,'''  or 
ambush,  of  one  or  perhaps  even  two  hours'  lying  on  the 
burning  sand,  awaiting  the  return  of  the  old  birds,  were 
indescribable.  A  buzzing  column  of  mosquitoes  focussed 
themselves  over  one's  face;  tribes  of  black  ants,  like  small 
dumbbells,  and  creeping  things  innumerable,  penetrated  up 
one's  sleeves  and  down  one's  neck ;  while  huge  hairy  spiders  of 
hideous  mien  would  gently  lower  themselves  onto  one's  nose, 
just  at  the  critical  moment  when  it  was  essential  to  remain 
rigidly  motionless. 

The  pine-forests  also  produced  two  or  three  nests  of  the 
Buzzard  {Buteo  vulgaris),  each  with  three  eggs.  These  nests 
and  those  of  the  Kites  and  Booted  Eagle  are  hardly  distin- 
guishable from  below,  except  that  perhaps  the  last-named 
prefers  the  main  fork  while  the  others  build  out  on  the 
branches.  In  the  crevices  of  these  large  nests  are  often 
placed  the  untidy  grass-built  edifices  of  the  Spanish  Sparrow 
{Passer  salicicola).  On  April  21st  a  pair  of  Hobbies  were 
observed  frequenting  a  clump  of  pines,  but  no  nest  could  be 
found. 

Besides  birds  of  prey,  the  scrub-covered  plains  swarmed 
with  Magpies,  many  of  whose  nests  we  destroyed  every  day. 
By  April  17th  Bed-legged  Partridge,  Cushat,  and  Mallard 

*  The  Black  Kite  having  recently  been  included  in  the  British  list,  on 
the  strength  of  an  individual  killed  in  Northumberland,  I  may  mention 
that  Mr.  Hancock  kindly  showed  me  this  specimen,  which  appeared  to 
differ  considerably  from  those  killed  in  Spain.  AvS  far  as  it  was  possible 
to  judge  from  exa«iiinng  it  in  the  case,  it  appeared  to  me  to  be  of  a  diffe- 
rent species. 


78  Mr.  A.  Cliapman's  Rough  Notes 

were  all  layings  and  we  frequently  found  the  eggs  of  all  three 
sucked  by  the  first-named  mischievous  vermin.     It  is  strange 
that    the    Jay,  which   is  abundant   in    Portugal,  should  be 
entirely  absent  from  these  Cotos.     During  April  and  May  the 
cock  Partridge  was  very  noisy,  and  frequently  perched  on  a 
high    stump    or   dead    branch    to    sing   its    peculiar    song. 
Among  the  cork-trees,  pairs  of  Golden  Orioles  were  making 
love  in  their  peculiar  fashion,  the  male  hovering  suspended 
in  the  air  like  a  Kestrel ;  Woodchats  scolded  from  every  bush, 
and  flocks  of  Bee-eaters  gleamed  like  jewels  in  the  sun.     Tur- 
tledoves, which  appeared  on  the  10th,  were  now  scattered 
over  the  plains  in  very  great  numbers;  every  few  yards  a 
dozen  or  so  would  spring  from  the  scrub,  and  dash  away  with 
impetuous  flight.     I  found  them  very  good  eating  ;  perhaps 
they  accommodated  themselves  to  my  crude  style  of  cooking 
better  than  other  birds.     None  of  these  sjiecies  have  eggs  till 
about  the  middle  of  May,  though  the  equally  brilliant  Roller 
had  already  commenced  laying^.     Another  bird  characteristic 
of  the  scrub  is  the  Stone-Curlew  {(Edicnemus  scolopax).     On 
these  flat  plains  they  were  difficult  of  access,  and,  if  winged, 
ran  like  a  hare.     Towards  evening  they  are  very  noisy,  piping 
something  like  a  Curlew  in  spring.     On  the  night  of  April 
15th,  while  skinning  a  lynx  by  the  light  of  our  fire,  the  air 
around  seemed  full  of  them,  their  vociferations  resounding 
from  the  darkness  on  every  side.     I  found  the  first  nest,  or 
rather  a  single  egg,  on  the  bare  sand,  on  18th  April.     Their 
footprints  in  the  sand  are  rectilineal.     These  fine  birds  are 
resident,  or  at  least   are  found  throughout  the  winter.      I 
have  met  with  them  in  strange  situations  :  high  up  on  the 
barren  stony  mountains  of  the  Minho,  in  Northern  Portugal, 
flocks  of  them  frequented  the  damp  spots  along  the  courses 
of    the    old    Roman   aqueducts.      This   was    in    November. 
Their  local  name  there  was  "Mountain-Curlew^'  (Masarico 
de  montes).      Apropos   of  these  hills   the  following  rather 
strange  incidents  are  perhaps  worth  noting  : — Far  out  among 
the  boulder-strewn  ridges,  while  Redleg-shooting,  I  used  to 

*  As  late  as  May  9th  I  watched  a  pair  of  Golden  Orioles  to  their  nest 
in  a  tall  "  white  elm ;''  but  it  was  then  onlj  half  fiuished. 


on  Spanish  Ornithology .  79 

find  numbers  of  Green  Woodpeckers,  miles  away  from  trees  ; 
they  were  attracted  tliither  by  the  swarms  of  ants.  Many 
Nightjars  [Caprimulgus  evropams)  and  Little  Owls  also  abode 
there;  the  latter  fluttered  out  from  under  one^s  feet,  and, 
after  a  most  un-owlish  up-and-down  flight,  would  dive  in 
under  a  big  boulder,  more  like  a  fish  than  a  bird.  Small  flights 
of  Teal  also  resorted  to  these  hills  during  the  day_,  sitting 
among  the  heather,  and  returning  to  the  marshes  at  night. 

To  return  to  the  Goto.  April  17th  produced  a  nest  of 
Lanius  meridio7ialis ,  its  situation  and  construction  resembling 
that  of  a  Missel-Thrush.  Many  nests  of  the  Spanish  Green 
Woodpecker  [G.  sharpii,  Saunders),  which  is  one  of  the 
earliest  breeders  in  Spain,  now  contained  half-feathered 
young.  I  had  already  obtained  their  eggs  early  in  the  month. 
They  are  very  numerous,  and  drill  deep  holes  in  the  hard  wood 
of  the  cork-trees.  Their  food  consisting  largely  of  ants  and 
the  small  red  and  black  beetles  which  cluster  in  nearly  every 
crevice  of  the  rough  cork-bark,  the  characteristic  "  tapping  " 
is  seldom  heard ;  but  their  loud  maniacal  laugh  is  incessant. 
One  of  these  birds,  shot  as  late  as  10th  May,  dropped  an 
undeveloped  shell-less  egg,  from  which  I  conclude  they  must 
breed  twice.  On  one  occasion,  while  examining  a  second 
hole,  a  foot  or  two  above  a  thriving  family  of  Gecini,  a  large 
stoat  leaped  out  right  in  my  face — strange  neighbours  ! 

The  Hoopoe  is  another  bird  whose  monotonous  note  is 
ever  audible.  Their  flight,  like  the  last-named  species,  is 
undulating ;  and  when  undisturbed  their  crest  is  depressed, 
projecting  backwards.  They  are  '^  fine-weather  '"*  birds,  and 
during  a  shower  of  rain  I  have  seen  two  or  three  of  them 
creep  into  a  crevice  of  a  wall  for  shelter.  These  plains  are 
infested  with  wild  cats  and  badgers,  also  tall  grey  foxes  of 
the  "  greyhound  "  breed.  I  shot  one  fox  of  the  handsome 
dark  variety  or  species,  Canis  vulpes  melanogaster. 

The  Goto  de  Donana  contains  many  lakes,  varying  from 
mere  rushy  pools  to  extensive  sheets  of  water,  each  occupied 
by  a  colony  of  water-fowl.  On  April  16th,  riding  up  to  the  La- 
guna  de  Sopiton,  several  Mallards  and  Gadwalls  flew  off  at 
our  approach,     I  shot  a  drake  of  the  latter  from  horseback, 


80  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

whereupon  numerous  small  dark  ducks  rose  from  the  reed- 
beds  :  their  species  was  unknown  to  me  ;  hut  as  they  appeared 
loth  to  leave,  we  soon  shot  several  as  they  circled  round  high 
in  the  air,  with  rapid  rustling  flight,  like  that  of  a  Golden-eye. 
They  were  the  Ferruginous  Duck  [Faligula  nyroca),  aud  were 
evidently  breeding,  though  a  search  for  their  nests  proved 
futile.  A  month  later,  however,  I  obtained  nests  of  both  this 
Duck  and  of  the  Gadwall,  built  among  rushes  on  dry  ground. 
The  latter,  which  is  inappropriately  called  "  Silbon  real  •" 
{i.  e.  King-Wigeon,  or  Whistler) ,  is  a  very  silent  duck  and  was 
always  seen  in  pairs.  In  May  I  met  with  them  singly,  those 
shot  then  being  all  drakes,  rising  from  small  rushy  pools. 

In  the  tall  reed-beds  in  mid- water  were  numerous  Warblers, 
notably  the  Great  Sedge-  and  Reed- Warblers  ;  but  owing  to 
the  depth  of  mud  and  w^ater  and  the  rank  weeds,  it  was  not 
possible  to  reach  the  spot.  Along  the  margin  many  of  the 
little  Fantail  Warblers  frequented  the  shorter  rushes,  on 
which  they  build  their  purse-shaped  nests.  I  noticed  this 
species  thi'oughout  the  winter.  While  driving  the  Ducks, 
five  Glossy  Ibises  flew  over,  passing  within  shot  of  Felipe,  my 
cazador,  who,  however,  failed  to  stop  them ;  they  were  the 
only  birds  of  this  species  I  met  with  in  Spain.  Among  the 
reeds,  floating  in  about  three  feet  of  water,  was  a  nest  of  the 
Marsh-Harrier ;  it  resembled  that  of  a  Coot,  and  had  perhaps 
been  built  originally  by  that  bird,  many  of  which  bred  there. 

That  afternoon  (April  16th)  I  found  in  a  tall  detached  cork- 
tree a  nest  of  the  Imperial  Eagle  ;  it  was  placed  on  the 
extreme  summit,  and  contained  three  down-clad  young,  pure 
white.  Two  days  afterwards  I  found  another  nest,  this  time 
in  a  stone-pine ;  in  it  were  two  eggs,  slightly  incubated. 
They  were  almost  pure  white  ;  but  an  egg  from  a  third  nest, 
taken  on  the  10th,  was  spotted  with  pale  Indian  red.  This 
last-named  nest  also  contained  two  eggs,  but  the  second  was 
broken  by  the  "  piiiero  "  who  took  them.  There  are  still  a 
few  pairs  of  this  superb  Eagle  in  the  district,  though  their 
numbers  are  sadly  thinned  by  the  greed  of  collectors  since  I 
first  met  with  them  there  in  1872.  I  obtained  a  pair  of 
magnificent  adults  from  their  nest — their  deep  brown,  almost 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  81 

black,  plumage  glossed  with  a  fine  purple  metallic  sheen  and 
with  snow-white  shoulders.  The  cere  and  feet  are  pale  lemon- 
yellow,  and  the  irides  finely  reticulated  with  hazel ;  on  the 
occiput  is  a  patch  of  pale  gold,  the  crown  being  black.  The 
nests  of  these  Eagles  are  about  4  feet  across  and  invariably 
placed  on  the  extreme  summit  of  the  tree,  all  projecting  twigs 
being  broken  off  so  as  to  offer  no  impediment  to  the  sitting 
Eagle's  view.  The  lining  consists  of  the  green  needles  of  the 
pine.  These  nests  are  most  difficult  to  get  into  :  from  their 
position,  affording  no  handhold  above,  and  the  extent  to  which 
they  overhang,  access  can  only  be  obtained  by  a  manoeuvre 
analogous  to  scaling  the  futtock-shrouds  of  an  old  line-of- 
battle  ship. 

With  the  first  of  the  daylight  the  Eagles  and  most  of  the 
larger  liaptores  turn  out  for  their  morning  hunt,  and  during 
the  heat  of  the  day  enjoy  a  siesta  on  the  peak  of  a  lofty  pine, 
where  they  remain  conspicuously  perched  for  hours  together. 
Towards  evening  predatory  operations  are  generally  resumed. 
It  is  curious  to  observe  their  different  methods  of  going  to 
work  :  the  Kites  sweep  about  with  buoyant  desultory  flight, 
not  unlike  large  Gulls ;  the  Circaetus  wheels  in  wide  circles 
over  the  C'istus-%Qxv}o ;  the  Montagu's  Harrier  hunts,  with 
impetuous  flight,  in  long  straight  bee-lines,  close  over  the 
'^'mancha,"  always  appearing  about  to  alight,  but  not  doing 
so.  But  for  systematic  searching-out  of  his  ground,  none  of 
them  compare  with  the  Imperial  Eagle  :  usually  in  pairs, 
these  noble  tyrants  choose  a  line  of  country,  and  with  wide 
sweeps  to  right  and  left,  crossing  and  recrossing  each  other 
at  the  central  point  like  well-trained  setters,  they  beat  miles 
of  scrub  in  a  few  hours;  while  a  Buzzard  or  Marsh-Harrier 
will  hover  and  circle  round  a  single  spot  and  spend  half  a  day 
over  a  few  acres  of  rushes.  Nothing  can  well  escape  the 
Eagles  :  shortly,  one  of  the  pair  detects  the  hidden  game ;  for 
an  instant  his  flight  is  checked,  to  assure  a  steady  aim;  then, 
with  collapsed  wings  and  a  rushing  sound,  which  is  distinctly 
audible  at  a  considerable  distance,  he  dashes  to  the  earth ;  a 
second  or  two  later  he  rises  with  loud  vociferations  and 
a  hapless  rabbit  suspended  from  his  yellow  claws.     Their 

SEE.   v. VOL.  I[.  G 


82  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

short  sharp  bark  is  repeatedly  uttered  while  hunting.  Rabbits 
seem  to  constitute  nine  tenths  of  their  prey,  to  judge  from 
the  Golgotha  of  these  little  animals'  skulls  below  the  nests. 
I  also  saw  a  Partridge  brought  thither,  and  remains  of  a 
Stone-Curlew  and  other  birds. 

In  the  beautiful  gardens  of  El  Palacio  at  Jerez,  the  Gold- 
finches already  (April  29th)  have  young ;  so,  too,  have  the 
Common  Sparrow,  and  several  broods  of  Blackbirds  are 
already  flown  from  their  nests  in  the  orange-trees.  The 
Nightingales'  nests  were  only  about  half  built,  and  no  eggs 
were  laid  till  8th  May.  Many  of  their  nests  were  in  ivy 
growing  on  walls,  and  placed  four  or  five  feet  from  the 
ground.  Their  eggs  varied  from  light  olive-green  to  dark 
bronze.  The  Willow-Wren  family  have  now  entirely  dis- 
appeared from  the  garden. 

On  April  23rd,  1872,  I  found  near  Jerez  an  egg  of  the 
Cuckoo  {Cuculus  canorus)  in  a  nest  of  the  Stonechat,  together 
with  four  eggs  of  the  latter  bird.  A  good  many  Cuckoos 
remain  to  breed  in  Andalucia,  and  this  year  I  heard  thera 
often  up  to  the  end  of  May. 

April  30th.  At  the  pine-woods  of  Puerto  Real  to-day  I  found 
two  nests  of  the  Raven  {Corvus  corax),  built  on  pines  close 
together.  One  was  lined  with  sheeps'  wool,  ready  for  eggs ; 
the  other  with  rabbit-fur,  and  contained  five  fresh  eggs. 
This  date  is  fully  seven  weeks  later  than  the  time  of  laying  in 
Northumberland.  I  shot  to-day  thefirst  Russet-necked  Night- 
jar (C«pn/?2MA/?<5  rufcoUis)  seen  this  year.  Melodious  Willow- 
Warblers  were  observed  in  the  sedges  along  the  river-banks;  and 
another  conspicuous  arrival  was  the  handsome  Rufous  Warbler 
{A'edon  galactodes) ,  frequenting  abundantly  the  hedges  of 
cactus  and  prickly  pear,  in  which  I  found  a  clutch  of  four 
eggs  on  14th  May.  Of  our  common  birds  I  have  noted  to-day 
Greenfinches  and  Lmnets  [Linota  cannabina) .  Walking  back 
to  Jerez,  a  very  wet  afternoon,  18  miles,  a  congregation  of 
many  thousands  of  Swallows  were  sitting  on  the  dry  mud 
along  the  edge  of  the  marisma. 

Early  in  May  1  returned  to  the  Guadalquivir  district, 
equipped  for  a  fortnight's  sojourn  in  the  wilds  of  the  Goto  de 


on  Spanish  Ornithology .  83 

Donaua  and  the  marisma.  While  crossing  the  river  above 
San  Lncar^  an  Ospre}^  was  observed^  and  numerous  Black 
Kites  were,  as  usual_,  busy  fishing  in  the  tideway.  On  the 
4th,  a  nest  of  the  Booted  Eagle  contained  two  eggs,  nearly 
fresh.  On  the  side  of  the  nest,  from  which  I  killed  the 
female  Eagle,  lay  a  large  lizard  and  half  a  rabbit.  A  Kestrel's 
nest  in  a  pine  contained  six  fresh  eggs  partly  covered  with 
fish-scales.  Stopping  that  night  at  La  Marismilla,  I  found 
two  nests  of  White  Owl  {Strix  flammea)  in  the  roof.  There 
were  six  eggs  and  three  young  birds,  all  mixed ;  and  I  cap- 
tured both  the  old  Owls  on  the  nest.  Next  morning,  shortly 
after  daybreak,  in  a  rushy  glade,  I  came  suddenly  on  a  herd 
of  about  twenty  wild  pig,  mostly  females  with  their  young  : 
probably  the  exigencies  of  the  season  accounted  for  their 
being  abroad  at  a  later  hour  than  is  their  habit.  Later  in 
the  day  I  almost  trod  upon  the  old  boar,  deeply  slumbering 
in  an  isolated  thicket;  he  was  grizzly  with  age,  his  fore 
quarters  looking  almost  white  as  he  trotted  across  the  sand. 

May  5th.  To-day,  in  a  long  ramble  along  the  edge  of  the 
marisma,  a  great  variety  of  wildfowl  was  observed.  BufF- 
backed  and  Squacco  Herons,  Egrets,  Spoonbills,  and  Avocets  in 
considerable  flocks  among  the  rushes,  where  I  obtained  many 
beautiful  specimens  by  stalking.  Further  out  on  the  shallow 
water  were  still  small  parties  of  Ducks,  probably  on  passage ; 
but  these  were  not  accessible.  Presently  I  made  out  with 
the  glass  a  score  or  so  of  red  Knots,  busily  feeding  along  the 
shore  :  while  I  was  creeping  down  on  them,  a  fine  adult  male 
Marsh-Harrier  rose  from  some  rushes  close  at  hand.  I 
knocked  him  down,  and  found  he  was  lunching  on  one  of  the 
Knots.  The  latter  I  could  not  mark  down  ;  but  I  observed 
seven  Greenshanks  feeding  a  little  further  oft',  one  of  which 
fell  to  a  long  shot :  an  immature  bird.  Curiously,  I  could 
see  no  adults  of  this  species,  though  early  in  March  I  had 
found  the  old  birds  numerous  in  the  ''  salinas  "  near  Tangiers, 
but  no  young  ones.  The  adults  appear  almost  white  at  a 
short  distance. 

Our  course  lay  across  a  wide  bight  of  the  marisma,  which 
there  projects  into  the  land.     Crossing  this,  I  fell  in  with 

g2 


84  Mr.  A.  Cliapman's  Rough  Notes 

several  packs  of  Sand-Grouse  {Pterocles  al  chat  a) ,  which  species 
arrives  in  Spain  late  in  April ;  tliey  are  very  wild  birds, 
flying  something  like  Teal  and  uttering  a  loud  harsh  croak. 
After  much  manoeuvring  on  the  fiat  marsh,  I  obtained  several 
beautiful  specimens  of  both  sexes.  No  bird,  I  think,  equals 
this  species  in  the  exquisite  delicacy  of  the  pencilling  and 
the  harmonious  disposition  of  colours  in  its  plumage.  Their 
eye-circles  and  eyelids  are  of  a  beautiful  ultramarine  blue. 
Their  summer  plumage  difitrs  considerably  from  that  of 
winter,  as  represented  in  "  Bree,"^  principally  as  follows  : — 
In  the  male  the  throat  is  black,  and  a  line  of  that  colour 
passes  through  the  eye  to  the  ear.  The  head  and  neck  are 
plain,  i.  e.  unspotted,  but  the  brownish-green  back  is  covered 
with  large  yellow  spots,  some  of  which  extend  to  the  ter- 
tiaries.  The  female  has  the  head  spotted  above  the  black 
line  through  the  eye ;  below  that  the  throat  and  cheeks  are 
plain  yellow.  Her  back  plumage  is  so  beautifully  variegated 
as  almost  to  defy  description ;  briefly  it  is  finely  barred  with 
yellow  and  black  of  various  shades,  but  this  is  relieved  by 
broad  bars  of  a  pale  clear  blue.  Their  name  is  hardly  ap- 
propriate, for  I  never  saw  them  on  the  sand,  always  on  the 
mud,  and  when  shot  their  feet  and  bills  are  generally  covered 
with  it.  The  larger  species  (P.  arenar'ms)  I  did  not  meet 
with,  though  it  is  well  known  as  '^Corteza;"  the  present  bird 
being  called  ''  Ganga,"  signifying  a  bargain,  in  reference  to 
its  edible  qualities. 

After  heavy  rains  in  April  the  mud  and  water  in  the 
marisma  were  unpleasantly  deep  for  locomotion,  and  on  the 
low  islands  many  thousands  of  eggs  had  been  destroyed  by 
the  rising  of  the  water.  A  great  variety  of  birds  were  now 
breeding,  Stilts  and  Avocets  being  perhaps  the  most  conspi- 
cuous :  I  found  a  few  of  their  eggs  to-day  (May  5th),  but  a  few 
days  later  they  were  in  thousands.  The  Stilts  make  a 
tolerably  solid  nest  of  dead  stalks,  and  lay  four  eggs,  neatly 
arranged,  points  inwards'^.     The  Avocet's  eggs  are  larger  and 

*  Several  young  Stilts  obtained  in  the  middle  of  June  were  mottled 
brown  above.  Legs  of  medium  length,  much  thicker  than  those  of 
the  adults,  especially  about  the  knee,  and  pale  brownish  or  clay-colour. 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  85 

lighter  in  colour  than  those  of  the  Stilts^  and,  except  when 
among  grass,  they  seldom  have  any  nest  at  all,  merely  laying 
at  random  on  the  bare  cracked  mud,  often  2  or  3  inches 
apart.  Some  of  the  Avocets^  nests  had  four  eggs ;  but  as 
several  of  the  others  contained  five,  or  even  six,  it  was  ob- 
vious that  these  were  the  produce  of  more  than  one  bird. 
In  the  great  majority  of  cases  three  was  the  number.  In 
neither  of  these  species  is  any  concealment  attempted, 
whereas  the  Redshank  habituall}^  chooses  the  centre  of  the 
thickest  tuft  of  grass  or  bog-plant  available.  Peewits  also 
breed  very  numerously  on  the  islands  of  the  marisma,  but 
are  much  earlier :  I  found  their  eggs  early  in  April,  and 
on  the  9th  of  May  they  were  hatching,  most  nests  having  one 
or  more  young  birds  out,  the  other  eggs  chipping.  Scattered 
about  on  the  dry  miid  were  numerous  clutches  of  four  small 
eggs,  belonging  to  two  other  species,  the  Kentish  Plover  and 
the  Lesser  Ring-Dotterel ;  the  latter  were  the  less  numerous 
of  the  two,  and  were  just  beginning  to  lay,  choosing  the 
gravelly  ridges  of  the  islands.  The  Kentish  Plover  is  an 
earlier  breeder,  many  of  their  eggs  being  hard-set  May  5th. 
I  had  previously  found  a  nest  of  this  species  as  early  as  14th 
April,  containing  three  of  the  most  strongly  marked  eggs  I 
have  ever  seen.  They  make  perhaps  rather  more  attempt  at  a 
nest  than  the  former  species  ;  but  there  is  not  much  to  choose 
between  them,  and  I  frequently  noticed  the  eggs  of  both 
these  and  other  species  laid  in  a  slight  hollow  scratched  in 
the  dried  remains  of  cattle-droppings.  On  these  islands 
were  many  nests  of  the  Spanish  Short-toed  Lark  [Calendrella 
batica),  artlessly  built  of  grass,  and  placed  in  small  holes, 
like  a  Dunlin^s,  sometimes  among  thistles,  as  often  on  bare 
ground  without  cover.  They  were  only  commencing  to  lay 
on  May  9th,  most  nests  then  containing  one  egg. 

May  9th.  While  blowing  and  numbering  eggs  on  a  small 
island  which  was  literally  covered  with  Avocets^  nests,  my 
cazador  Felipe,  whom  I  had  sent  to  explore  another  small 
island  close  at  hand,  came  up  Avith  five  eggs,  which  he  said 
he  thought  must  be  Gull's.  I  saw  at  a  glance  he  was  right; 
and   jumping   up   espied,   among   the  clamorous   crowd    of 


86  Mr.  A.  Chapman^s  Rough  Notes 

Avocets^  Marsh-Terns,  Stilts^  and  other  birds  overhead,  a 
single  pair  of  strangers — small,  very  long-necked  Gulls, 
These  I  promptly  knocked  down,  and  at  once  recognized 
them  as  Lams  gelastes.  Only  a  few  days  before  I  had  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Mr.  Howard  Saunders,  especially  en- 
joining me  to  keep  a  strict  look-out  for  "the  beautiful  pink- 
breasted,  slender-billed  GuU.^^  I  therefore  at  once  instituted 
a  careful  search  on  all  the  islands  in  sight,  never  dreaming 
but  that  the  five  eggs  and  the  two  Gulls  were  related  to  each 
other.  However,  that  afternoon  I  was  greatly  surprised  to 
find  another  Gull's  nest  containing  two  very  difi'erent  eggs 
(white  ground,  spotted  with  black  and  brown,  like  those  of 
Sterna  cantiaca) ,  from  which  I  also  shot  a  female  L.  gelastes. 
This  time,  however,  there  was  no  doubt ;  for  the  bird,  while 
*'in  articulo  mortis,'^  actually  laid  a  third  egg  in  the  water, 
a  perfectly  coloured  and  developed  specimen  exactly  re- 
sembling the  two  in  the  nest.  Then,  to  make  assurance 
doubly  sure,  I  found,  on  skinning  the  first  pair,  that  the 
female  contained  another  perfectly  developed  specimen  of 
this  very  distinct  egg.  Of  course  this  placed  the  identity  of 
the  eggs  of  L.  gelastes  beyond  doubt ;  it  was,  however, 
equally  certain  that  the  first  five  eggs,  which  were  dull 
greenish  or  stone-colour  faintly  spotted  with  brown,  belonged 
to  a  different  species.  Accordingly  I  returned  to  the  first- 
named  islands,  and  at  once  perceived  two  or  three  pairs  of 
small  black-hooded  Gulls;  these  had  doubtless  been  over- 
looked in  the  morning,  mixed  up  as  they  were  among 
numbers  of  the  Gull- billed  Terns  and  other  birds.  They 
would  not  allow  approach  within  shot,  so  I  was  obliged 
to  risk  a  long  chance  with  Avire  cartridge.  The  bird  was 
feathered,  but  escaped  at  the  moment.  Two  days  after- 
wards, however,  on  a  second  visit  I  found  it  lying  dead,  and 
recognized  it,  by  the  black  hood  and  strong  bill,  as  L.  melano- 
cephalus,  beyond  a  doubt  the  owner  of  one  of  the  two  nests. 
These  islands  lay  about  six  miles  distant  from  the  low 
shores  of  the  marisma,  and  at  that  distance  no  land  whatever 
was  in  sight.  The  "  coup  d'oeil  "  therefrom  presented  an 
extraordinary  scene  of  desolation  :  the   only  relief  from  the 


on  Spanish  Ornithology .  87 

monotony  of  endless  wastes  of  water  were  the  birds ;  a 
shrieking^  clamouring  crowd  liung  overhead,  while  only  a 
few  yards  off  the  surface  was  dotted  with  troops  of  Stilts, 
sedately  stalking  about  knee-deep — in  no  other  situation  do 
their  long  legs  enable  them  to  feed.  Further  away  large 
flights  of  smaller  Waders  flashed,  now  white,  now  dark,  in 
the  sun  :  most  of  these  were  Eing-Dotterels,  Dunlins,  and 
Curlew  Sandpipers,  the  two  latter  in  full  breeding- plumage. 
A  Marsh- Harrier,  oologically  inclined,  was  being  bullied  and 
chased  by  a  score  of  Peewits,  and  now  and  then  a  little  string 
of  Ducks  high  overhead  would  still  remind  one  of  winter. 
Beyond  these,  the  strange  forms  of  hundreds  of  Flamingoes 
met  one^s  eye  in  every  direction — some  in  groups  or  in  dense 
masses,  others  with  rigidly  outstretched  neck  and  legs  flying 
in  short  strings,  or  larger  flights  "  glinting  "  in  the  sunlight 
like  a  pink  cloud.  Many  pairs  of  old  red  birds  were  ob- 
served to  be  accompanied  by  a  single  white  (immature)  one. 
But  the  most  extraordinary  effect  was  produced  by  the  more 
distant  herds,  the  immense  numbers  of  which  formed  an 
almost  unbroken  white  horizon,  a  sort  of  thin  white  line  sepa- 
rating sea  and  sky  round  a  great  part  of  the  circle. 

A  incident  occurred  one  day  which  is  worth  recording  as 
illustrative  of  the  singular  desolation  of  the  scene.  Far  off 
in  the  marisma  I  noticed  two  large  animals  evidently  watch- 
ing me.  I  saw  they  were  not  deer,  which  often  come  out 
into  the  marisma,  but  never  so  far  as  to  where  I  then  was  : 
so,  putting  in  ball-cartridge,  I  rode  towards  them.  At  about 
400  to  500  yards  they  suddenly  wheeled  round  and  trotted 
off  with  a  shambling  gait.  There  was  no  mistaking  them 
then,  as  soon  as  their  broadsides  were  exposed  to  view ;  they 
were  two  camels,  one  much  larger  than  the  other  ! 

I  had  heard  on  my  first  visit  to  this  wilderness,  eleven 
years  before,  of  the  existence  of  camels  therein,  but  was  as 
incredulous  as,  no  doubt,  my  readers  will  now  be.  However, 
I  may  add  that  some  40  years  ago,  or  more,  the  experiment 
of  using  camels  was  tried  in  Andalucia,  as  they  are  so  gene- 
rally employed  on  the  opposite  shores  of  Morocco.  The 
scheme  failed,  and  the  camels  were  set  free  in  the  marisma; 


88  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

and  if  they  do  not  breed  in  a  feral  state,  it  is  difficult  to 
account  for  one  of  those  above  mentioned  being  at  least  a 
third  larger  than  tbe  other*. 

To  return  to  the  Flamingoes.  On  examining  narrowly  the 
different  herds,  there  was  an  obvious  dissimilarity  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  certain  groups  :  one  or  two  in  particular  seemed 
so  much  denser  than  the  others ;  tlie  narrow  white  line  ap- 
peared at  least  three  times  as  thick,  and  in  the  centre  looked 
as  if  the  birds  were  literally  piled  upon  each  other.  Felipe 
suggested  that  these  birds  must  be  at  their  "  pajarera,"  or 
breeding-place;  and  after  a  long  ride  througli  rather  deep 
water,  we  found  that  this  was  so.  On  our  approach,  the 
cause  of  the  peculiar  appearance  of  the  herd  from  a  distance 
became  clearly  discernible.  Many  of  the  birds  were  sitting 
down  on  a  low  mud  island  ;  some  were  standing  on  it,  and 
others,  again,  were  in  the  water.  Thus  tbe  different  eleva- 
tions of  their  bodies  formed  what  had  appeared  a  triple  or 
quadruple  line. 

On  reaching  the  spot,  we  found  a  perfect  mass  of  nests ; 
the  low  mud  plateau  was  crowded  with  them  as  thickly  as  the 
space  permitted.  These  nests  had  little  or  no  height :  some 
were  raised  3  or  3  inches,  a  few  might  be  5  or  0  inches ;  but 
the  majority  were  merely  circular  bulwarks  of  mud,  with  tlie 
impression  of  the  bird's  legs  distinctly  marked  on  it.  The 
general  aspect  of  the  plateau  was  not  unlike  a  large  table 
covered  with  plates.  In  the  centre  was  a  deep  hole  full  of 
muddy  water,  which,  from  the  gouged  appearance  of  its  sides, 
appeared  to  be  used  as  a  reservoir  for  nest-making  materials. 

Scattered  all  round  this  main  colony  Avere  numerous  single 
nests  rising  out  of  the  water,  and  evidently  built  up  from  the 
bottom.  Here  and  there  two  or  three  or  more  of  these  were 
joined  together — "  semi-detached,"  so  to  speak ;  these  sepa- 

*  [I  saw  a  small  herd  of  these  feral  eauiels  in  the  Goto  de  Douaua  on 
he  3rd  of  May,  1868  ;  but  findhig  that  my  statenieut  as  to  the  breeding 
of  the  Crane  in  that  neighbourhoud  was  received  %Yith  much  incredulity,  I 
liept  the  apparition  of  the  camels  to  myself.  I  possessed  the  eggs  of  the 
Crane  to  convince  the  sceptics,  but  I  could  not  have  produced  a  camel ! — 
U.S.] 


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on  Spanish  Ornithology.  89 

rate  nests  rose  some  6  or  8  inches  above  the  water-level^  and 
were  about  15  inches  across.  The  water  was  about  12  or 
15  inches  deep.  None  of  these  nests  as  yet  contained  eggs ; 
and  though  I  returned  to  the  ^'pajarera  '^  on  the  latest  day 
I  was  in  its  neighbourhood  (May  11th),  they  still  remained 
empty.  On  both  occasions  many  hundreds  of  Flamingoes 
were  sitting  on  the  nests,  and  on  the  11th  we  had  a  good 
view  of  them  at  close  quarters.  Linked  arm  and  arm  with 
Felipe,  and  crouching  low  on  the  water,  to  look  as  little 
human  as  possible,  we  approached  within  some  70  yards 
before  their  sentries  showed  signs  of  alarm,  and  at  that 
distance  with  the  glass  observed  the  sitting  birds  as  distinctly 
as  one  need  wish.  Their  long  red  legs  doubled  under  their 
bodies,  the  knees  projecting  as  far  as  or  beyond  the  tail, 
and  their  graceful  necks  neatly  curled  away  among  their 
back-feathers,  like  a  sitting  Swan,  with  their  heads  resting 
on  their  breasts — all  these  points  were  unmistakable.  (See 
Plate  IV.)  Indeed  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  point  out  that  in 
the  great  majority  of  cases  (the  nests  being  hardly  raised 
above  the  level  of  the  flat  mud)  no  other  position  was  possible. 

Still  none  of  the  crowded  nests  contained  a  single  egg  ! 
How  strange  it  is  that  the  Flamingo,  a  bird  which  never 
seems  happy  unless  up  to  his  knees  in  water,  should  so  long 
delay  the  period  o£  incubation  ;  for  before  eggs  could  be 
hatched  in  these  nests  and  young  reared  the  water  would 
have  entirely  disappeared,  and  the  Flamingoes  would  be  left 
stranded  in  the  midst  of  a  scorching  plain  of  sun-baked  mud. 
Being  unable  to  return  to  the  marisma,  I  sent  Felipe  back 
there  on  26th  May,  when  he  obtained  the  eggs ;  but  as  yet 
I  have  heard  no  particulars,  my  faithful  cazador  being 
unable  to  write.  In  1872  I  obtained  eggs  taken  on  the  24th 
of  May.     One  of  my  specimens  is  extremely  rugose. 

On  the  11th  May  the  Pratincoles  were  just  beginning  to 
lay  (one  or  two  eggs  in  each  nest)  ;  but  subsequently  I  got 
them  in  basketfuls.  Some  of  their  eggs  when  taken  have  a 
beautiful  purplish  gloss;  three  is  their  complement,  and 
they  make  hardly  any  nest. 

Later,  again,  are  the  Terns.     The  Whiskered  and  Black 


90  Mr,  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

species  breed  in  colonies,  building  their  nests  on  the  floating 
weeds  of  the  lagoons  in  the  Goto  de  Dofiaua ;  they  all  lay  three 
eggs.  Those  of  the  Whiskered  Tern  are  mostly  green  with 
small  black  spots;  a  few,  however,  are  olive-brown.  The 
eggs  of  the  Black  Tern  are  of  a  rich  brown,  heavily  blotched 
with  black.  The  large  Gull-billed  Tern  breeds  out  on  the 
islands  of  the  marisma :  I  obtained  their  eggs  on  my  first 
visit  on  23rd  May. 

Early  in  May  I  had  found  several  nests  of  the  Montagu's 
Harrier,  but  no  eggs  till  the  10th.  These  birds  breed  in 
the  thickest  "  manehas,''  or  jungle,  which  are  often  wholly 
inpenetrable  on  account  of  the  long  and  thorny  "  salza/'  a 
vicious  sort  of  briar  which  entwines  itself  round  the  scrub, 
and  forms  a  matted  lacerating  jungle  often  15  or  20  feet 
high.  Many  of  these  "  manchas "  are  islanded  between 
ridges  of  blown  sand,  and  are  the  stronghold  of  the  Spanish 
lynx  {Fells  pardinci),  which  are  tolerably  numerous  and 
work  havoc  among  Partridge  and  rabbits.  Some  of  these 
Harrier's  nests  were  on  the  ground,  mere  outlines  of  half-a- 
dozen  twigs  ;  others  were  placed  3  or  4>  feet  high,  especially 
where  there  was  water,  and  were  loosely  built  of  dead  roots. 
In  the  water  below  lay  many  bones  of  rabbits.  They  also 
nest  in  the  standing  corn.  The  manner  in  Avhich  Felipe 
could  call  up  the  Harriers  within  shot  by  imitating  the  squeal 
of  a  wounded  rabbit  was  surprising.  Many  of  the  Spanish 
*'  guardas  "  are  intelligently  observant  of  the  fer<2  natur(B 
among  which  they  live,  and  in  field-craft  they  are  far  in 
advance  of  their  British  representatives. 

During  May  I  rode  several  times  to  the  large  Lagunas  de 
Santa  Olaya,  where  numerous  wildfowl  were  breeding. 
Besides  Mallards,  Gadwalls,  and  Ferruginous  Ducks,  already 
described,  were  numerous  Pintails,  Teal,  and  some  small 
grey  ducks,  I  took  to  be  Anas  marmorata.  I  think  some 
of  the  Pintails  must  remain  to  breed,  as  on  May  8th  I  saw  a 
"  bunch  "  of  a  dozen  or  so  at  Santa  Olaya,  all  drakes,  their 
snow-white  throats  glistening  in  the  sun.  Near  them  a  pair 
of  Shoveller  drakes  were  swimming.  Next,  the  binocular 
rested  on  six  of  the  most  extraordinary -looking  wildfowl  I 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  91 

ever  met  with ;  gambolling  and  splashing  about  on  the  water, 
chasing  each  other,  now  above  now  below  its  surface,  like  a 
school  of  porpoises,  they  appeared  half  birds,  half  water- 
turtles,  with  which  the  lagoon  abounds.  Presently  they 
entered  a  small  reed-margined  bay,  swimming  very  deep, 
only  their  turtle- shaped  backs  and  heavy  heads  in  sight.  I 
crept  down  on  them,  and  as  they  sat,  splashing  and  preening 
themselves  in  the  shallow  water,  stopped  three — two  dead, 
the  third  escaping,  winged.  They  proved  to  be  a  duck  and 
drake  oi  Erismaturame7'sa,  heavily-built  diving-ducks,  round 
in  the  back,  broad  and  flat  in  the  chest,  with  small  wings 
like  a  Grebe,  and  long  stiff"  tails  like  a  Cormorant ;  the  latter, 
being  carried  under  water  as  a  rudder,  is  not  visible  when 
the  bird  is  swimming.  The  beak  of  the  drake  was  much 
enlarged  above,  and  of  a  light  mazarine-blue  colour.  Their 
whole  plumage  (except  the  white  face)  was  dark  ferruginous, 
and  not  (as  represented  in  Bree)  white  below.  I  found  they 
were  known  to  the  guardas  as  "  Patos  porrones,^^  and  sub- 
sequently found  several  pairs  at  the  Laguna  de  Medina,  near 
Jerez,  where,  on  23rd  May,  they  were  evidently  breeding. 
At  the  same  place  were  great  numbers  of  the  Great  Crested 
Grebe  {Podiceps  cristatus),  quaint-looking  birds  in  their  full 
summer  dress.  The  nests  of  the  Little  Grebe  were  floating 
in  every  rushy  pool. 

As  already  mentioned,  the  Heron-tribe  are  numerously 
represented  in  Andalucia,  both  specifically  and  individually. 
Except  Ardea  cinerea  and^i.  purpurea  the  whole  family  are  late 
breeders.  About  the  middle  of  May  the  Buff-backed  Herons 
were  often  seen  flying  about  the  plains  in  packs  of  a  score  to 
fifty  or  more.  The  pretty  little  Squaccoes  had  then  shifted 
their  quarters  to  the  reedy  edges  of  the  lagoons  ;  and  several 
nests  appeared  nearly  ready  for  eggs  in  the  "juncales,"  or 
reed-beds ;  but  none  of  the  genus  appear  to  lay  before  June. 
Besides  the  species  of  Ardeidse  already  mentioned  in  this 
paper,  the  Night-Heron  and  the  Bitterns,  both  Common  and 
Little,  are  also  numerous  in  Andalucia.  Nevertheless,  owing 
to  their  retiring  and  nocturnal  habits,  these  species  are  seldom 
seen,  being  difficult  to  raise  without  a  dog.     The  same  remark 


92  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rough  Notes 

applies  to  the  Rails,  of  which  Rallus  aquaticus  and  Porzana 
maruetta  appear  about  equally  numerous  in  the  marshes. 
The  Common  Bittern,  which  is  almost  invariably  "  pointed  " 
to  by  native  dogs,  falls  a  frequent  victim  to  the  Snipe-shooter 
in  winter,  lying  extremely  close  in  the  rankest  flags  or  reeds, 
in  retired  parts  of  the  marshes.  Its  name  of  ''  Garza- 
mochuelo''''  (2.  e,  Owl-Heron),  common  to  both  Spain  and 
Portugal^  is  singularly  appropriate.  I  did  not  find  its  eggs^ 
but  have  those  of  the  Little  Bittern. 

As  the  long  summer  day  draws  to  its  close,  the  infinite 
variety  of  nocturnal  sounds  which  during  the  short  twilight 
suddenly  awake  into  being  strike  strangely  on  a  northern 
ear.  Of  crepuscular  birds  the  first  to  commence  the  concert 
is  the  Busset-necked  Nightjar  {Caprimulgus  ruficolUs),  which 
abounds  all  over  the  scrub,  A  few  minutes  later,  from  the 
cork-trees,  resounds  the  note  of  the  Little  Owl,  then  the 
sharp  ringing  cry  of  the  Scops  Owl ;  while  far  and  neai', 
among  the  grass,  the  loud  rattle  of  the  crickets  starts  like 
an  alarum  ;  and  from  every  pool  the  united  croaks  of  literally 
millions  of  frogs  form,  as  it  were,  a  background  of  sound 
resembling  the  distant  roar  of  a  mighty  city. 

The  Little  Owls  [Athene  noctua)  just  mentioned  breed  in 
holes  in  the  cork-trees,  and  early  in  May  I  found  several  of 
their  nests  with  four  and  five  eggs.  In  the  same  situations 
a  Great  Tit,  with  ten  eggs,  many  Jackdaws,  and  other 
common  species.  On  May  12th  a  Mallard^s  nest  contained 
nine  eggs,  just  chipping. 

At  Jerez,  in  the  middle  of  May,  I  found  several  nests  of 
the  Orphean  Warbler  in  bushes  in  the  olive-woods,  also  one 
which  I  believe  to  be  that  of  Sylvia  melanocephala.  The 
Woodchat's  nests,  many  of  which  appeared  ready  for  eggs  on 
April  30th,  contained  none  till  May  14th.  None  of  their  eggs 
had  any  rufous  tinge.  The  14tli  May  produced  many  nests 
of  the  Calandra,  Crested^  and  Short-toed  Larks,  also  of  the 
Common  Bunting,  each  of  these  with  five  eggs.  On  the  16th 
were  added  those  of  the  Common  Whitethroat,  Rufous 
Warbler,  and  Lesser  Kestrel.  Bee-eaters  were  now  laying 
in  deep  holes  in  the  river-banks,  breeding  in  colonies  like 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  93 

Sand-Martins.  During  April  and  May  these  birds  frequented 
the  plantations  in  tlie  garden  at  Jerez  in  large  flocks^  and 
we  noticed  that  their  appearance  among  the  trees  was  gene- 
rally the  precursor  of  heavy  rains.  I  also  obtained  a  nest  of 
the  Yellow  Wagtail  with  four  eggs. 

During  May  Andalucia  swarms  with  locusts^  and  over  the 
fields  of  "  garbauzos  ""  or  chick-pea,  which  they  frequent, 
dozens  of  Black  Kites  are  always  hovering,  while  others  are 
dotted  about  on  the  ground  devouring  these  destructive 
insects. 

In  1872  a  considerable  passage  of  Waders  occurred  on 
May  8th.  The  banks  of  the  Guadalete  river  near  Jerez 
swarmed  with  bird-life.  A  large  ''mixed  bag^"  included 
Whimbrels,  Grey  Plovers,  Curlew  Sandpipers,  Ring-Dotterels, 
and  Sand-Grouse.  Many  of  the  Grey  Plovers  were  superb 
specimens,  in  their  beautiful  black-and-white  plumage,  and 
the  Curlew  Sandpipers  were  in  full  rufous  summer  dress. 
Unfortunately  the  attractions  of  the  Great  Bustard,  several  of 
which  were  also  in  sight,  proved  irresistible ;  but  I  had  the 
satisfaction  of  riding  home  that  evening  with  my  first  Bustard 
slung  to  the  "  alforjas.''^  I  also  observed  that  day  a  single 
Crane. 

A  visit  to  the  sierra  in  the  middle  of  May  was  not  very 
productive.  The  Guadalete  was  in  heavy  flood  :  two  men, 
together  with  their  nine  mules,  were  drowned  in  attempting 
the  passage  just  as  I  rode  up  to  the  Barca  Florida.  Conse- 
quently, having  to  make  a  long  detour,  it  was  impossible  to 
reach  the  sierra  before  nightfall.  While  improvising  a 
camp  among  the  palmetto-scrub  at  dark,  an  alarming  sound 
attracted  my  attention.  It  resembled  the  distant  bellowing 
of  an  enraged  bull — a  formidable  beast  in  this  land  of  the 
toreador  ;  but  Felipe  assured  me  it  only  arose  from  the  An- 
dalusian  Quail  {Turnix  sylvatica),  a  tiny  game-bird  which 
frequents  the  palmetto.  In  reference  to  its  extraordinary 
lung-power,  this  little  bird  is  called  in  Spanish  ''Torillo"  = 
little  bull.  I  only  met  with  the  species  on  one  other  occa- 
sion ;  but  have  two  eggs  which  were  laid  in  confinement  at 
Jerez. 


94  Mr.  A.  Cbapman^s  Rough  Notes 

In  tlie  cliffs  of  the  Paerta  de  Palomas_,  in  the  Sierra  de 
Alcahi  de  los  Gazules,  the  Griffon  Vultures  had  now  (May 
16)  half -grown  young,  partly  feathered  and  partly  in  white 
down.  Of  sixteen  nests  reached,  only  two  contained  more 
than  one  young  bird.  The  Vultures,  on  returning  to  their 
nests,  utter  a  peculiar  growl,  often  the  first  sound  heard  at 
daybreak  on  awakening  from  one's  roofless  bedroom  among 
the  boulders.  The  young  Griffons  were  never  seen  on  the 
wing  till  the  month  of  July,  having  spent  about  three  months 
in  the  nests  ;  they  were  then  (July  10th)  of  a  clear  bright 
cinnamon- colour,  and  measured  between  8  and  9  feet  in  ex- 
panse of  wing. 

In  the  plains  the  Griffon  Vultures  hunt  in  strata  at  vary- 
ing altitudes,  the  highest  tiers  visible  being  mere  points  in 
the  azure  height.  It  seems  obvious  that  only  the  lowest 
stratum  can  be  on  active  duty,  the  ujDper  parties  merely 
standing  by  to  profit  by  the  labours  of  all  the  working  detach- 
ments which  may  be  in  sight  below ;  for  at  their  enormous 
elevation  it  is  impossible  that  even  a  Vulture  could  detect  so 
small  an  object  as,  say,  a  dead  goat  on  the  earth.  We  esti- 
mated the  altitude  of  the  lowest  stratum  at  800  to  1000  yards. 

In  the  roofs  of  some  large  caverns  a  colony  of  Alpine 
Choughs  were  breeding  ;  their  nests  were  quite  inaccessible ; 
but  at  a  lower  point  were  several  of  Cotyle  rupestris ;  their 
eggs  were  flecked  slightly  with  grey.  In  the  attempt  to 
reach  the  Chough's  nests,  I  came  suddenly  on  a  pair  of 
Eagle-Owls  ;  but  being  in  a  very  awkward  position  on  the 
crag-face,  I  was  unable  to  spare  a  hand  to  shoot  them.  No 
better  luck  attended  a  search  for  the  nest  of  the  Blue  Thrush ; 
but  a  few  days  afterwards  a  clutch  of  its  five  beautiful  greenish- 
blue  eggs  was  taken.  The  male  has  a  pretty  habit  of 
towering  up  in  the  air,  singing  merrily,  then  dropping  back 
among  the  crags  like  a  stone. 

Round  the  lofty  conical  peak  called  the  "  Penon  de  Hibe,^' 
which  towers  over  the  surrounding  sierras,  something  like  a 
gigantic  facsimile  of  Arthur's  Seat  over  the  Salisbury  crags, 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  observing  for  some  time  a  magnificent 
Gypaetus  barbatus,  the  only  specimen  of  this  fine  bird  that 
came  under  my  observation. 


on  Spanish  Ornithology .  95 

From  the  rugged  stony  slopes  of  the  sierras^  the  energetic 
mountaineers  have  reclaimed  many  patches  of  corn-land. 
About  these  Emberiza  cia  and  E.  miliai'ia  were  abundant. 
I  failed  to  find  the  nest  either  of  the  first-named  bird  or  of 
E.  cirius,  which  were  also  numerous  in  the  lower  valleys  and 
outskirts  of  the  sierra.  A  high  crag  on  the  ridge  of  the 
sierra  was  occupied^  by  a  colony  of  Alpine  Swifts ;  their 
nests  were  in  crevices  of  the  rock^  and  their  flight  strikingly 
dashing  and  powerful. 

My  two  animals  having  fallen  lame  from  loss  of  shoes, 
caused  me  no  small  difficulty  in  extricating  myself  from  the 
heart  of  these  rugged  and  pathless  sierras.  My  non-arrival 
in  Jerez  also  caused  extreme  anxiety  among  my  kind  friends 
there,  who  unfortunately  connected  my  disappearance  with 
the  accident  (above  mentioned)  on  the  Guadalete.  Incident- 
ally I  may  remark  that  travelling  in  the  wilder  regions  of 
Andalucia  is  inseparably  beset  with  difficulties  at  every  point ; 
but  these  I  have  purposely  abstained  from  enlarging  upon. 
Eventually,  after  dragging  the  lame  beasts  some  twenty  miles, 
we  succeeded  in  getting  clear.  Passing  the  outlying  spurs  of 
the  sierra,  a  pair  of  large  dark  Eagles  were  noticed  hunting 
a  scrub-covered  ridge.  The  larger  one  presently  swept  down 
upon  an  unlucky  rabbit,  and  forthwith  commenced  to  devour 
it.  The  male  Eagle  thereupon  perched  on  a  stump  100  yards 
or  so  further  off.  They  were  favourably  placed  for  a  stalk, 
so  riding  round  in  a  wide  circuit,  I  crept  down  within 
40  yards  of  the  larger  Eagle,  and  killed  her  as  she  rose. 
This  bird  proved  to  be  Aquila  boneUii,  a  fine  adult  female.  On 
the  19th  May,  riding  homewards  over  the  low  rolling  hills 
adjacent  to  the  sierra,  a  great  number  of  Little  Bustards  were 
descried  :  they  were  extremely  wild  and  watchful ;  but  after 
great  difficulty  I  managed  to  shoot  a  beautiful  male  from 
horseback.  I  was  at  once  struck  with  the  extraordinary 
appearance  of  the  throat  and  neck,  resembling  a  black  ruff. 
At  first  I  thought  this  might  arise  from  an  effusion  of  blood, 
as  one  often  sees,  in  a  less  degree,  in  a  shot  Grouse ;  but  a 
careful  examination  of  this,  and  of  another  male  I  obtained 
afterwards,  showed  that  it  arose  from  the  inflation  of  the 


96  Mr.  A.  Chapman's  Rouffh  Notes 

gular  poucli,  wliich  appears  to  be  chronically  distended 
during  the  breeding-season — a  fact  I  have  not  seen  recorded. 
The  black  feathers  on  the  lower  part  of  the  neck  are  long 
and  hackle-like. 

June  in  Sjjain  is  a  month  of  intense  heat.  According  to 
the  Spanish  proverb^  "  Nothing  but  a  dog  or  an  Englishman '' 
ventures  out  of  doors ;  nor,  according  to  my  experience,  is 
there  much  inducement  to  do  so.  The  teeming  variety  of 
bird-life  which  characterizes  April  and  May  is  now  conspi- 
cuously absent.  Migration  is  suspended,  and  there  is  no 
movement  of  passage-birds.  There  is  no  longer  the  accus- 
tomed quantity  of  large  Hawks  hunting  the  ''  campina ; "  and 
even  those  birds  which  remain  seem  to  keep  out  of  sight, 
sheltering  from  the  blazing  heat.  This  is  the  time  to  get 
the  eggs  of  the  Herons,  for  any  one  who  has  sufficient  pluck 
to  ride,  say,  .50  or  GO  miles  through  the  scorching  suffocating 
marisma,  where  the  dothering  heat  reflected  from  the  cracked 
mud  is  simply  intolerable. 

Perhaps  the  most  interesting  birds  at  this  season  are  the 
newly-fledged  young  of  the  Raptores.  The  young  Imperial 
Eagles  are  of  a  beautiful  uniform  rich  tawny  colour,  and  at 
midday  frequent  the  trees  where  they  were  hatched.  The 
plumage  of  these  birds  rapidly  fades  with  age  and  exposure 
to  the  sun,  and  appears  by  the  following  spring  almost  white 
at  a  distance.  The  next  stage  is  the  acquisition  of  the  black 
plumage,  I  think,  during  their  second  autumn.  These  black 
feathers  coming  gradually  and  irregularly  among  the  light 
ones,  give  the  bird  at  that  j^eriod  a  peculiar  spotted  or  pie- 
bold  appearance.  I  also  obtained  young  Kites  {Milvus  ictinus) 
in  the  same  way — very  handsome  birds,  much  ruddier  than 
the  old  ones  in  April.  The  young  of  M.  migrans,  on  the 
contrary,  are  less  pleasing  than  their  parents,  being,  in  fact, 
a  pale,  rather  "  washed  out  "  reproduction  of  them.  Towards 
the  end  of  the  month  the  young  Montagu's  Harriers  are  on 
the  wing;  they  have  dark  brown  backs,  each  feather  edged 
with  chestnut,  a  white  nape,  and  rich  orange-tawny  breasts. 
An  adult  male,  shot  on  the  10th,  was  much  blacker  than 
those  killed  in  April,  caused  by  the  wearing  of  the  edges  of 


on  Spanish  Ornithology.  97 

the  upper  coverts.  Many  of  tlie  young  of  the  Marsh- Harrier 
are  uniformly  very  dark,  almost  black,  with  rich  orange 
crowns,  strikingly  handsome  birds.  Some  have  also  patches 
of  the  latter  colour  on  the  scapulars,  others  on  the  breast ; 
but  they  vary  greatly,  no  two  are  alike.  Indeed^  I  hardly 
understand  this  species.  One  imagines  that  the  dark  speci- 
mens are  all  young  birds,  that  the  old  females  are  lighter 
brown  with  yellow  heads,  and  that  the  very  old  males  acquire 
half-blue  wings  and  tail.  I  shot  one  of  these  latter  with 
the  head  pure  white,  each  feather  streaked  centrally  with 
black.  But  can  any  one  account  for  an  individual  (otherwise 
uniformly  black)  having  a  perfectly  developed  blue  tail  and 
secondaries  ?  During  June  I  was  surprised  to  find  the 
Green  Sandpiper  tolerably  numerous  in  the  Goto  de  Donana; 
it  was  a  very  solitary  species,  a  single  bird  frequenting  each 
water-hole  far  out  among  the  scrub.  I  at  first  imagined  that 
the  females  must  be  sitting ;  but  all  efforts  to  find  a  nest  were 
of  course  futile.  Of  the  Wood-Sandpiper  a  single  example 
occurred  in  the  middle  of  May. 

June  15th.  A  solitary  Black  Vulture  ( Vultur  cinereus)  ob- 
served sitting  on  a  dead  tree  in  the  Goto  de  Donana.  I  also  saw 
this  species  in  the  sierra,  where  they  breed  sporadically,  a  single 
pair  sometimes  appearing  to  ally  themselves  to  a  colony  of 
Griffons.  The  Sardinian  Starling  {Sturnus  unicolor)  was 
abundant,  in  flocks,  in  June. 

The  following  remarks  refer  to  a  few  other  species  ob- 
served, but  which  have  not  been  mentioned  in  the  narrative  : — 

Elanus  melanopterus .  Observed  what  I  believe  to  have 
been  a  pair  of  this  species  above  San  Lucar  in  April.  The 
male  fell  to  a  long  shot,  but  subsequently  rose  again  and 
escaped. 

Accipiter  nisiis.  Observed  a  few  times,  and  one  or  two 
shot :  not  common.  Of  the  Goshawk  and  Honey-Buzzard, 
I  saw  nothing. 

Asio  otus  and  A.  brachyotus.  Both  species  observed  in 
winter. 

Alcedo  ispida.     More  numerous  in  Portugal  than  in  Spain. 

Gallinula  chloropus.     Abundant  and  resident.     Its  Portu- 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  H 


98  Mr.  A.  Cliapman^s  Rough  Notes 

guese  name  "  Rabo-coelho/'  i.  e.  rabbit-tail,  appears  a  singu- 
larly haj)py  one. 

Porphyrio  caruleus  was  frequently  described  to  me ;  but 
I  did  not  myself  meet  with  it.  Felipe  found  a  nest  at  the 
end  of  May. 

Ciconia  nigra.  Scarce.  A  pair  shot^  right  and  left^  near 
Jerez^  in  March. 

Puffinus (?  sp.)  and  Stercorarius  (?sp.).  Ob- 
served abundantly  in  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar  in  March. 

Sulci  bassana.  Also  observed  in  the  Straits  and  Bay  of 
Trafalgar.  On  March  29th  several  were  observed  in  the 
middle  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  Ayiiig  northwards. 

Thalassidroma  pelagica.  Observed  abundantly  on  the 
coast  in  autumn,  but  none  in  spring. 

The  following  are  a  few  of  the  species  met  with  in  winter, 
but  which  returned  north  in  spring  : — 

Mergus  serrator.     llather  numerous. 

Colymhus  septentrionalis.     Less  common. 

Charadrius  pluvialis.     Abundant. 

Gallmago  ccelestis,  G.  gallinula,  Scolojjax  rmticula.  Com- 
mon. 

Snipe  are  very  numerous  in  favourable  seasons.  From  50 
to  as  many  as  100  couple  are  sometimes  bagged  in  a  day  by 
two  or  three  guns.  Out  of  150  shot  by  myself  at  Ovar,  in 
Portugal,  the  proportion  of  Jacks  was  33  to  117  full  Snipe. 
The  last  shot  was  on  April  8th.  Of  Woodcock  the  heaviest 
bag  I  heard  of  in  Andalucia  was  seventeen  couple  (two  guns) ; 
but  this  is  exceptional. 

Crex  pratensis.     Scarce. 

Turdus  musicus,  Sturnus  vulgaris,  Ant hus pratensis.  Com- 
mon. 

Alauda  arvensis.     Common. 

Erithacus  rubecula.     Scarce. 

Motacilla  alba.     Very  abundant,  especially  in  September. 

M.  boarula.     Less  common. 

Corvus  cor  one.     Scarce. 

C  frugilegus.     Occasional  flocks. 

Besides  these,  many  other  species  are  found,  notably  most  of 


on  Spanish  Ornithology .  99 

our  common  British  Laridse  and  many  of  the  Anatidae 
Wigeon,  in  particular^  were  very  numerous  from  October  to 
March,  and  not  being  much  molested  at  "  flight  '^  time,  came 
in  from  the  sea  much  earlier  and  more  regularly  than  is  their 
wont  at  home,  where  every  Zo^/era-covered  estuary  is,  at 
night,  "■  horrid  '^  with  guns. 

During  the  autumnal  passage  the  following  species  were 
obtained  on  the  coast  of  Portugal : — 

Numenius  arquatus  and  N.phaopus.  The  former  remained 
throughout  the  winter ;  but  the  Whimbrels  went  on  further 
south. 

Limosa  rufa,  Totanus  canescens,  T.  hypoleucus,  and  Tringa 
canutus.  All  abundant  on  passage ;  but  none  obtained  after 
September.     All  immature. 

jEgialitis  hiaticula,  Tringa  maritima,  T.  cinclus,  and  Strep- 
silas  interpres.  These  also  arrived  in  September;  but  many 
remained  throughout  the  winter. 

May  31st.  At  Tangier,  M.  Olcese  showed  me  a  clutch  of 
five  eggs  unknown  to  him,  and  which  were  certainly  those  of 
the  Missel-Thrush.  I  also  obtained  from  him  a  beautiful 
adult  Lanner  Falcon — the  only  dollar,  by  the  way,  I  in- 
vested in  collector's  skins. 

This  concludes  my  ornithological  record.  It  is,  I  fear, 
very  imperfect  and  very  unskillf  ully  put  together ;  but  I 
have  a  certain  confidence  in  my  facts,  for  I  spared  no  pains 
or  trouble  to  ascertain  what  I  have  written.  Spending  weeks 
at  a  time  in  the  wildernesses  and  sierras  of  Spain,  camping 
out  in  the  open  wherever  night  overtook  me,  and,  my  own 
affinities  being  decidedly  "  raptorial,'^  I  have  myself  shot  most 
of  the  birds  herein  enumerated,  from  the  Tomtit  to  the 
Golden  Eagle, 

In  conclusion  I  wish  to  acknowledge  my  obligation  to  the 
owners  of  the  Goto  de  Donana  for  so  kindly  placing  their  noble 
domain  and  army  of  keepers  at  my  disposal;  and  last,  not 
least,  to  express  my  deep  and  lasting  gratitude  to  those  kind 
friends,  both  in  Sjiain  and  Portugal,  at  whose  hands  I  have 
been  the  recipient  of  such  untiring  assistance  and  abounding 
hospitality. 

h2 


100         Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  a  new  Japanese  Woodpecker. 

X. — Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  V.    On  a  new  Japanese 
Woodpecker.     By  Edward  Hargitt^  F.Z.S. 

When  I  wrote  my  paper  on  the  genus  lyngipicus  (Ibis, 
1882,  p.  19)  I  was  acquainted  with  only  one  species  of  the 
genus  from  Ja]:)an.  My  friend  Mr.  Seebohm  has,  however, 
recently  shown  me  some  specimens  from  the  island  of 
Kiusiu,  or  Kimo,  which  differ  materially  from  the  bird  de- 
scribed in  the  above-mentioned  paper  as  /.  kizuki.  Up  to 
the  date  of  my  paper  I  had  only  examined  birds  from  the 
northern  island  of  Japan,  and  I  was  therefore  somewhat  sur- 
prised to  find  that  the  species  from  Kiusiu  is  really  the  true 
/.  kizuki  (Temm.),  and  that  the  more  northern  bird  is  appa- 
rently without  a  name.  Naturalists  are  so  much  indebted 
to  Mr.  Seebohm  for  the  excellent  labour  he  has  bestowed 
upon  the  ornithology  of  Japan,  that  I  trust  my  appellation 
for  this  unnamed  bird  will  meet  with  their  approval  when 
I  describe  it  as 

Iyngipicus  seebohmi,  sp.  n. 
Similis  /.  kizuki,  sed  major  et  subtus  conspicue  albescentior, 
et  prsecipue  pilei  colore  cinereo,  nee  brunneo  rufesceute 
lavato  distinguendus.     Long.  tot.  5*3,  culm.  0'65,  ala3 
3"3,  caudae  1*95,  tarsi  0'62. 
Hab.  in  insulis  Japonicis  "  Niphon "  et   "  Yezo "    dictis. 
Typ.  in  Mus.  meo. 

Seebohm's  Pigmy  Woodpecker  is  a  larger  and  whiter  form 
of/,  kizuki.  The  underparts  are  conspicuously  whiter,  and 
have  none  of  the  fulvescent  tinge  on  the  abdomen  which  is 
to  be  seen  in  the  last-named  bird.  The  white  barring  on  the 
back  is  also  more  strongly  pronounced ;  but  its  chief  claim  to 
distinction  lies  in  the  colour  of  the  crown,  which  is  of  a  clear 
pale  grey,  instead  of  the  brown  head,  with  a  rufous  tinge, 
which  is  seen  in  /.  kizuki.  The  last-named  species  bears 
the  same  relation  to  /.  seebohmi  that  /.  scintilliceps  of  China 
bears  to  I.  doerriesi  of  Eastern  Siberia. 

The  synonymy  of  the  two  forms  will  be  as  follows  : — 

1.  Iyngipicus  kizuki. 

Picus  kizuki,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  iv.,  text  to  livr.  99  (1835)  ; 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  101 

Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  135  (1850) ;  Reicbenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Pi- 
cinse,  p.  370,  Taf.  dcxxxvi.  figs.  4236-4238  (1854)  ;  Gray, 
List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  41  (1868);  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  184. 
no.  8585  (1870). 

Picus  kisuki,  Temm.  Tabl.  Metli.  p.  64  (1836) ;  id.  &  Schleg. 
Faun.  Japon.  p.  74,  Taf.  xxxvii.  (1850) ;  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid. 
i.  154,  pi.  xxxvi.  figs.  1,  2  (1861) ;  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin. 
p.  28  (1866). 

Picus  zizuki,  Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  435  (1845) ;  Jerd.  B.  Ind. 
i.  p.  279  (1862). 

Yungipicus  kisuki,  Bp.  Consp,  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  8  (1854). 

Picus  kogera,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  154  (1861,  MSS. 
ex  spec,  olim  in  Mus.  Zool.  Soc.) . 

Bceopipo  kisuki,  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  Th.  iv.  p.  60 
(1863). 

2.  Iyngipicus  seebohmi. 

Picus  kizuki  (non  Temm.),  Swinb.  Ibis,  1875,  p.  451 ; 
Blakiston  &  Pryer,  op.  cit.  1878,  p.  229;  Seebohm,  op.  cit. 
1879,  p.  29. 

Picus  kisuki,  Blakist.  Ibis,  1862,  p.  325. 

Iyngipicus  kizuki,  Hargitt,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  36. 


XI. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 
1.  Booth's  Rough  Notes  on  British  Birds. 

[Rough  Notes  on  the  Birds  observed  during  Twenty  Years'  Shooting 
and  Collecting  in  the  British  Islands.  By  E.  T,  Booth.  With  Plates 
from  drawings  by  E.  Neale,  taken  from  specimens  in  the  Author's  posses- 
sion. Part  IV.  Folio.  Loudon:  1883.  Published  by  E.  H.  Porter, 
6  Tenterden  Street,  W.] 

In  Part  iv.  of  tbis  work  the  illustrations  by  Mr.  E.  Neale 
are  of  the  Raven,  Crossbill,  Grey-headed  and  Yellow  Wagtails, 
the  Scandinavian  form  of  the  Rock-Pipit,  Black  Redstart, 
Wheatear,  and  Willow-Wren,  the  letterpress  treating  of  some 
of  the  British  Wagtails,  Pipits,  Redstarts,  Chats,  and  a  few 
of  the  Warblers.  Mr.  Booth's  observations,  based  entirely 
upon  his  personal  experience,  cannot  fail  to  be  valuable  ;  and 


102  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

his  remarks  upon  the  geographical  distribution  of  many  of 
the  species,  as  regards  the  British  Islands,  are  of  con- 
siderable interest.  The  illustration  of  the  first  plumage 
of  MotaciUa  raii  will  probably  challenge  criticism  ;  but  we 
have  seen  specimens  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  distinctly  spotted 
with  blackish  brown  on  the  throat  and  upper  part  of  the 
breast.  As  regards  the  vinous-breasted  birds  which  Mr. 
Booth  considers  to  be  the  Scandinavian  form  of  Anthus  ob- 
scurus,  they  appear  to  have  changed  their  line  of  flight  during 
the  past  ten  years,  none  being  now  obtained  near  Brighton, 
where  they  were  formerly  plentiful  on  migration.  It  is 
somewhat  remarkable  that  a  field- naturalist  of  Mr.  Booth's 
experience  should  not  have  been  able  to  trace  the  Grass- 
hopper Warbler  beyond  Norfolk  :  he  can  hardly  have  been 
in  Northumberland  in  summer,  for  scarcely  in  any  other 
county  in  England  is  the  bird  so  common,  especially  on  the 
Cheviots. 

2.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1882. 

[Report  on  the  Migration  of  Birds  in  the  Spring  and  Autumn  of  1882. 
By  Mr.  John  A.  Harvie-Brown,  Mr.  John  Cordeaux,  Mr.  R.  M.  Bar- 
rington,  and  Mr.  A.  Ct.  More.     Bvo.     London  :  1883.] 

This  fourth  Report  is  satisfactory,  inasmuch  as  it  shows 
that  the  keepers  of  lighthouses  and  lightships  continue  to 
take  an  interest  in  the  scheme  of  observations,  and  some  of 
their  contributions  are  of  considerable  value.  A  feature 
of  the  year  was  the  enormous  migration  of  Goldcrests  {Be- 
gulus  cristatus),  extending  from  the  Fseroes,  to  the  north, 
along  the  entire  east  coast  of  Scotland  and  England  (inclu- 
sive of  Heligoland)  down  to  Guernsey  ;  and  scarcely  less 
remarkable  was  the  great  flight  of  the  Jay  {Garrulus  glan- 
darius).  Among  the  rare  occurrences  are  those  of  Oriolus 
galbida  so  far  north  as  Lerwick  in  Shetland;  a  Pectoral 
Sandpiper  {Tringa  maculata)  on  Loch  Lomond;  an  Eastern 
Pied  Chat  {Sawicola  morio)  on  Heligoland,  where,  by  the 
w^ay,  a  Little  Bustard  [Otis  tetrax)  was  also  obtained  for  the 
first  time;   an  Alpine  Swift   {Cypselus  melba)   in  Northum- 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  103 

berland  j  and  a  Red-breasted  Snipe  [Macrorhamphus  griseus) 
in  Lincolnshire. 


3.  'Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club.' 

[Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club  :  a  Quarterly  Journal  of 
Ornithology.     Vol.  viii.,  October  1883.     No.  4.] 

As  will  be  seen  by  the  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
foundation-meeting  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union, 
which  we  have  given  above  in  full,  the  ^Bulletin  of  the 
Nuttall  Ornithological  Club  '  has  now  become  the  Journal  of 
the  A.  O.  U.,  and  will  reappear  in  this  form  in  January  next 
under  the  editorship  of  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen.  The  number  now 
before  us  therefore  concludes  the  present  series  of  the 
^Bulletin.'     It  contains  several  very  interesting  articles. 

Messrs.  Allen  and  Brews. er  finish  their  list  of  the  birds 
observed  in  the  vicinity  of  Colorado  Springs  in  the  spring  of 
1882,  and  notice  the  occurrence  of  specimens  oiJunco  aikeni, 
Cypselus  saxatilis,  and  other  scarce  species.  Mr.  W.  B. 
Barron  continues  his  acceptable  notes  on  the  birds  of  the 
Lower  Uruguay,  and  records  valuable  particulars  of  the 
nesting-habits  of  many  little-known  birds,  amongst  which 
are  twelve  of  the  Synallaxine  group.  Phacellodomus  sibi- 
latrix,  Doering,  is  said  to  be  abundant  among  the  open  woods 
along  the  Uruguay.  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam  records  the  oc- 
currence of  Vireo  flavo-viridis  in  the  province  of  Quebec. 
Mr.  Brewster  describes  an  "  apparently  new  Gull/^  allied  to 
Larus  glaucescens,  as  Larus  kumlieni.  The  new  species  is 
based  on  three  specimens  obtained  in  Cumberland  Sound, 
Bay  of  Fundy,  and  near  Grand  Menan.  Finally  Dr.  Mer- 
riam records  the  breeding  of  the  Harlequin  Duck  (^Histri- 
onicus  minutus)  in  Newfoundland. 

4.  D' Aubusson' s  '  Birds  of  France.' 

[Les  oiseaux  de  la  France,  par  Louis  Magaud  D'Aubusson.  Premiere 
monographie,  Corvides.  Histoire  Naturelle  generale  et  particuliere  des 
Passereaux  Deodactyles  Oultrirostres  observees  en  France.     Figures  colo- 


104  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

ri&s  de  toutes  les  especes,  de  leiirs  varietes  et  de  leurs  ceufs.  Planches 
osteologiques  lithographiees.  Paris :  Imprimerie  de  A.  Quautin,  7  Rue 
Saint-Benoit.     1883.     Quarto,  168  pp.,  20  plates.] 

It  is  pleasant  to  welcome  a  new  labourer  in  the  field  of  orni- 
thological literature,  and  M.  D'Aubusson^s  coloured  figures 
are  certainly  superior  to  the  ordinary  product  of  the  French 
lithographer.  But  Ave  must  say  we  are  disappointed  with  the 
letterj)ress,  which  seems  to  contain  little  original,  and  is 
hardly  likely  to  supersede  existing  authorities  on  the  birds 
of  France. 


5.   Gould's  '  Birds  of  Asia.' 

[The  Birds  of  Asia.  Bj  J.  Gould,  F.R.S.  Dedicated  to  the  Honour- 
able East  India  Company.     Part  XXXV.     Folio.     London  :  1883.] 

The  thirty-fifth  part  of  the  '  Birds  of  Asia/  which  con- 
cludes the  work,  contains  figures  of  the  following  species  : — 

Argusianus  argiis.  lyngipicus  peninsularis. 

Leiothrix  laurinfe.  lyngipicus  nanus. 

Indicator  xanthonotus.  Uragus  sibiricus. 
lyngipicus  gymnophthalmus. 

The  number  also  contains  the  title-pages  and  lists  of  plates 
for  the  seven  volumes  in  which  it  is  proposed  that  the  work 
shall  be  bound,  and  the  preface  and  introduction  by  ]VIr. 
Sharpe.  The  latter  contains  so  much  matter  of  general  in- 
terest concerning  the  recent  progress  of  our  knowledge  of 
Asiatic  ornithology  that,  with  the  author's  consent,  we  have 
reprinted  it  in  this  Journal*. 

6.  Hartlaub  on  the  Genus  Hyliota. 

[Die  Gattung  Hyliota,  Sw.,  monographische  Skizze  von  Dr.  G.  Hart- 
laub. (Separatabdr.  aus  Cab.  J.  f.  Orn.  Jahrg.  1883.)  Juli-IIeft.  Naum- 
burg  am  S.,  1883.] 

Dr.  Hartlaub's  excellent  monographic  sketch  of  the  African 
Muscicapine  genus  Hyliota  is,  we  need  hardly  say,  as  com- 
plete as  such  an  essay  can  be  made  with  the  present  state  of 

*  See  above,  p.  40. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  105 

our  knowledge.  Four  species  are  recognized  and  carefully 
described,  of  which  Hyliota  barbozm,  from  Benguela,  is  now 
first  described. 

7.  Nelson  on  the  Birds  of  Bering  Sea. 

[Cruise  of  the  Revenue-Steamer  'Corwin'  iu  Alaska  aud  tlie  N.W. 
Arctic  Ocean  in  1881.  Washington:  1883.  1  vol.  4to. — Birds  of  Bering 
Sea  and  the  Arctic  Ocean.     By  E.  "VV.  Nelson.     Pp.  55-118.] 

On  the  21st  June,  1881,  the  'Corwin'  left  St.  Michaels, 
Alaska,  in  search  of  traces  of  the  ill-fated  '  Jeannette '  and  two 
missing  whaling-ships.  Fortunately  for  ornithology,  Mr. 
Nelson,  who  had  long  been  at  St.  Michaels,  was  taken  on 
board  for  this  cruise,  in  the  course  of  which  all  the  islands 
in  Bering^s  Straits,  Herald  and  Wrangel  Islands,  the  Siberian 
shore  from  the  Straits  to  the  North  Cape,  and  the  entire 
Alaskan  coast-line  from  the  Straits  to  Point  Barrow  were 
visited.  As  supplementing  the  observations  of  Dall  and 
Bannister  on  the  American,  and  Nordenskiold  on  the  Siberian 
avifauna,  Mr.  Nelson^s  observations  are  of  the  highest  interest, 
and  he  has  also  availed  himself  of  the  notes  of  Mr.  Newcomb, 
the  naturalist  to  the  '  Jeannette,'  Dr.  T.  H.  Bean,  and  Mr. 
Elliot. 

The  Emperor  Goose  {Bernicla  canagica),  which  appears  to 
have  the  most  restricted  range  of  any  American  Goose,  was 
found  in  abundance  on  the  south-western  portion  of  St. 
Lawrence  Island,  and  again  on  the  Bering  sea-coast  of 
Alaska  from  Cape  Vancouver  to  the  mouth  of  the  Yukon, 
north  of  which  it  becomes  rare.  On  the  opposite  coast  of 
Siberia  it  is  also  met  with  where  the  shore  is  low  and  bordered 
by  lagoons  ;  and  there  also  Steller^s  Eider  aud  the  King  Eider 
occur  in  great  abundance.  The  islands  of  Bering^s  Straits 
and  the  Diomede  Islands  are  all  resorted  to  by  the  Crested, 
Parrot-billed,  and  Least  Auks ;  and  some  small  rocky  islets 
in  the  Aleutian  group  are  the  breeding-places  of  tlie  beautiful 
grey  Fork-tailed  Petrel  [Oceanodroma  furcata) — not  to  be 
confounded  with  Leach's  Petrel,  which  is  often  called  by  the 
above  trivial  name.  Mr.  Nelson's  observations  on  the  once 
rare  Ross's  Gull  {Rhodostethia  rosea)  are  of  much  interest. 


106  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

and  encourage  us  to  hope  that  in  a  few  years,  at  most,  ornitho- 
logists will  be  acquainted  with  it  eggs 'and, nestlings.  We 
had  been  aware  since  May  1882  that  Mr.  Newcomb,  of  the 
*  Jeannette/  had  obtained  eight  specimens,  but  we  did  not 
know  until  recently  that,  when  it  was  a  question  of  saving 
their  bare  lives,  and  the  necessaries  of  existence  which  each 
one  of  the  shipwrecked  crew  could  carry  had  to  be  weighed 
literally  by  the  ounce,  Mr.  Newcorab  gallantly  stuck  to  three 
of  these  birds,  and  brought  them  in  safety  across  Asia  and 
Europe  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  He  probably  remem- 
bered that  the  Austro- Hungarian  Expedition  obtained  one 
at  Franz-Josef  Land,  but  abandoned  it  with  the  '  Tegetthoff,' 
and  determined  that  he  should  not  be  reproached  with  the 
same  want  of  enthusiasm.  In  the  records  of  collecting  we 
can  call  to  mind  no  similar  instance  of  bull-dog  tenacity. 
Mr.  Nelson  obtained  another  Rosses  Gull  in  the  mottled  plu- 
mage of  the  first  year  in  October,  which  made  four  altogether 
in  the  Smithsonian  at  the  time  of  writing  his  contribution  ; 
and  we  understand  that  this  summer  some  further  examples 
have  been  obtained  near  Point  Barrow.  The  above  are  only 
some  of  the  salient  features  of  this  valuable  memoir,  which 
will  amply  repay  perusal. 

8.  Oates's  '  Birds  of  British  Burniah.' 

[A  Handbook  to  the  Birds  of  British  Burmah,  including  those  found  in 
the  adjoining  State  of  Karennee.  By  Eugene  W.  Gates,  Executive  En- 
gineer, Public  Works  Department  of  India  (British  Burmah).  London  : 
R.  H.  Porter  and  Dulau  &  Co.  Vol.  II,  June  1883.  (Completing  the 
Work.)] 

Of  the  excellent  style  of  Mr.  Oates's  work,  and  of  the 
admirable  way  in  which  he  has  carried  out  his  plan  of  a 
handbook  of  the  birds  of  British  Burmah,  we  have  already 
spoken  in  our  notice  of  his  first  volume  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  380). 
Of  the  second  volume,  which  treats  of  all  the  remaining 
orders  after  the  Passeres,  and  completes  the  work,  we  need 
only  say  that  it  has  been  prepared  in  the  same  manner  and 
merits  equal  praise.  Few  persons  who  come  home  from 
India  on  two  years'  leave  would  like  to  undertake  such  a 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  107 

task  or,  what  is  still  more  important,  would  bring  it  to  such 
a  successful  conclusion. 

The  total  number  of  species  recognized  by  Mr,  Oates  as  at 
present  known  to  belong  to  the  avifauna  of  British  Burmah 
is  780,  of  which  no  less  than  401  are  Passeres,  indicating  the 
great  development  attained  by  this  multitudinous  order  in 
the  rich  regions  of  the  eastern  tropics.  But  large  as  is  the 
list,  our  author  assures  us  that  it  cannot  be  considered  by 
any  means  complete.  "  Much  remains  to  reward  the  ex- 
plorer on  the  higher  mountains  both  of  Arakan  and  Tenas- 
serim." 

Mr.  Oates  seems  to  have  made  (p.  6)  a  new  generic  name, 
"  Rhaphidura,"  for  Acanthy lis  leucopygialis  and  A.  sylvatica. 
A  coloured  map  attached  to  the  introduction  will  greatly 
add  to  the  comfort  of  those  using  the  '  Handbook  to  the 
Birds  of  British  Burmah,^  which  we  can  conscientiously 
recommend  to  ornithologists  as  a  most  useful  and  well- 
executed  work. 

9.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  Somali-land. 

[Faime  et  Flore  des  Pays  Qoinalis  (Afrique  Orientale),  par  Georges 
Revoil.  8vo.  Paris :  1882.  Note  sur  les  oiseaux  recueillis  daus  le  pays 
des  Qomalis  par  M.  G.  Revoil,  par  M.  E.  Oustalet.] 

M.  Oustalet  contributes  to  M.  BevoiFs  volunle  an  account 
of  the  birds  collected  in  Somali-land.  They  consisted  of  29 
specimens,  referable  to  21  species.  Amongst  them  is  a  new 
Bee-eater,  named  Merops  revoillii  and  figured.  Other  little- 
known  species  are  Lanius  dorsalis  and  Amydrus  blythi. 

10.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Ecuador. 

[Ueber  eine  Sendung  vou  Saugethieren  und  Vogeln  aiis  Ecuador.  Von 
August  von  Pelzeln.  Verh.  der  k.-k.  zool.-bot.  Gesell.  Wien,  1882, 
p.  443.] 

Herr  v.  Pelzeln  gives  an  account  of  a  collection  of  mam- 
mals and  birds  from  Ecuador  received  by  Graf  Salis-Seewis 
and  entrusted  to  him  for  determination.  The  birds  are  re- 
ferred to  about  60  different  species,  amongst  which  two  are 


108  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

described  as  new  under  the  names  Myiodioctes  meridionalis 
and  Elainia  ferrugineiceps.  Other  rarities  are  Geothhjpis 
semiflava,  Setophaga  bairdi,  Conurus  weddelli,  and  Attagis 
chimborazensis. 


11.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Central  Africa. 

[Ueber  Dr.  Emin  Bey's  dritte  Sendung  von  Vogeln  aus  Central- Afrika. 
Von  August  vou  Pelzelu.  Verb,  der  k.-k.  zool.-bot.  Gesell.  Wien,  1882, 
p.  499.] 

The  present  collection  of  the  energetic  Governor  of  the 
Equatorial  Provinces  of  Egypt  contains  examples  of  73  spe- 
cieSj  amongst  which  one  [Argya  amauroura,  from  Fadibek) 
is  described  as  new.  Lanius  pyrrhostictus,  lately  discovered 
by  Dr.  Holub  in  the  Central  Transvaal^  is  also  represented 
in  the  collection. 

13.  Reichenoiu  on  the  Birds  of  Zoological  Gardens. 

[Die  Vogel  der  zoologiscben  Garten.  Leitfaden  zum  Studium  der 
Ornitbologie  mit  besonderer  Berlicksichtigung  der  in  Gefangenscbaft 
gebaltenen  Vogel.  Ein  Ilandbucb  fiir  Vogelwirtbe.  Von  Dr.  Ant. 
Eeichenow.     In  zwei  Tbeilen.     8vo.     Leipzig:  1882.] 

This  is  the  first  part  of  a  new  compendium  of  ornithology, 
with  special  reference  to  birds  kept  in  zoological  gardens. 
Little  is  given  besides  short  descriptions  of  the  principal 
genera  and  species,  and  an  indication  of  their  localities.  The 
classification  is  peculiar,  and  begins  with  the  Struthiones, 
advancing  upwards.  The  present  part  concludes  with  the 
Owls. 

13.  Ridgway  on  tiew  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands 
and  Petropaulovsky . 

[Description  of  some  Birds,  supposed  to  be  undescribed,  from  the  Com- 
mander Islands  and  Petropaulovsky,  collected  by  Dr.  Leonbard  Stejneger, 
U.S.  Signal  Service.  By  Robert  Ridgway.  Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883, 
p.  90.] 

These  new  species  are  based  on  specimens  in  the  collection 
of  Dr.  Stejneger^  of  whose  interesting  letters  from  Bering 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  109 

Island  we  have  already  given  a  short  notice  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  582). 
They  are : — (1)  Haliaetus  hypoleucus,  "perhaps  an  eastern 
representative  of  H.  albicilla,"  with  the  ''  entire  underparts 
white ;"  (2)  Acrocephalus  dybowskii ;  (3)  Anorthura  palles- 
cens ;  (4)  Hirundo  saturata,  allied  to  H.  erythrogastra ;  (5) 
Anthus  stejnegeri,  proposed  as  an  alternative  new  name  if 
the  species  be  not  identical  with  A.  japonicus  of  the  '  Fauna 
Japonica/  of  which  no  copy  is  accessible  to  the  describer  ! 

14.  Ridgway  on  Motacilla  ocularis. 

[On  the  probable  identity  of  Motacilla  octdaris,  Swinlioe,  and  M.  amu- 
rensis,  Seebohm,  with  Remarks  on  allied  supposed  Species.  By  Robert 
Ridgway.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  144.] 

Mr.  Ridgway  considers  that  it  is  ''  conclusively  proved  " 
by  the  series  of  specimens  in  the  National  Museum  that  M. 
ocularis  is  "  only  the  summer  adult  male  of  M.  amurensis, 
which  has  the  back  black,  while  the  fully  adult  female  is  un- 
distinguishable  from  M.  ocularis,  or  else  that  these  two  birds 
are  identical,  the  former  representing  the  adult  male  and  the 
latter  the  adult  female,  or  perhaps  in  winter  both  sexes.'* 
But  see  Mr.  Seebohm^s  remarks,  suprh  p.  39. 

15.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  Lower  California. 

[Descriptions  of  some  new  Birds  from  Lower  California.     By  Robert 
Ridgway.     Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  156.] 

These  discoveries  of  Mr.  Belding  are  named  Lophophanes 
inornatus  cinereus,  Psaltriparus  grindce,  and  Junco  bairdi. 

16.  Ridgway  on  a  new  American  Pipit. 

\_Anthus  cei-vinus  (Palias)  in  Lower  California.  By  Robert  Ridgway. 
Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  156.] 

Mr.  Ridgway  was  at  first  inclined  to  refer  a  single  speci- 
men of  an  Anthus  obtained  by  Mr.  Belding  in  Lower 
California  in  the  winter  of  1882-83  to  a  new  species. 
Having  found  three  specimens  of  the  same  species  in  a 
collection   from   the   coast  of  China,  he  was  led  to  make 


110  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

further  researches,  and  finally  to  identify  it  with  Anthus  cer- 
vinus,  which  is  thus  introduced  into  the  North- American  list. 


17.  Ridgivay  on  Merula  confinis, 

[ISTote  on  Merula  conjinis.  By  Robert  Ridgway.  Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Miis, 
1883,  p.  158.J 

The  type  specimen  of  Merula  confinis,  discovered  by  Xantus 
at  Todos  Santos,  in  Lower  California,  in  I860,  has  hitherto 
remained  unique.  Mr.  Belding  has  now,  however,  trans- 
mitted two  additional  examj)les,  and  there  is  no  question 
that  the  species  is  one  of  "  pronounced  characters.'^ 

18.  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarr ell's  'Birds.' 

[A  History  of  British  Birds.  By  the  late  William  Yarrell,  V.P.L.S., 
F.Z.S.  Fourth  Edition.  Revised  to  the  end  of  the  Second  Volume  by 
Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S.,  continued  by  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.     Parts  XV.-XX,     November  1882-December  188-3.] 

The  six  parts  issued  during  the  past  thirteen  months  con- 
tain the  Pigeons,  Pallas's  Sand-Grouse,  the  Game-birds, 
Rails,  Crane,  Bustards,  Plovers,  and  the  majority  of  the 
Sandpipers.  There  is  good  reason  to  expect  that  the  Avhole 
work  will  be  completed  by  the  middle  of  1885. 

19.  Schalow  on  Bohm's  Collections  from  East  Africa. 

[Die  ornithologischen  Sammlungen Dr.  R.  Bohm's  aus  Ost-Afrika.  Nach 
den  schriftlichen  Notizen  des  Reisendeu  bearbeitet  von  Herman  Schalow. 
Separatabdr.  aus  Cab.  J.  f.  Orn.  1883.] 

The  present  collection  of  Dr.  Bohm  contains  examples  of 
161  species  from  Zanzibar,  the  Ugogo  district,  and  Kakoma, 
mostly  from  the  last-named  locality  (32°  29'  E.  and  5°  47'  S.), 
which  was  the  headquarters  of  the  German  Expedition  for 
the  exploration  of  Eastern  Africa  up  to  August  1881.  Here, 
at  the  furthest  point  in  a  south-western  direction  in  Eastern 
Africa  that  naturalists  have  yet  reached.  Central- African 
forms,  such  as  Parus  rufiventris,  Bocage,  hitherto  only  known 
from  the  interior  districts  of  Angola,  begin  to  be  met  with. 
The  new  species  of  Dr.  Bohm's  collections  have  been  already 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  Ill 

described  in  the  Journ.  f.  Orn.^  eight  [Melittophagus  hoehmi, 
Parisoma  hoehmi,  Poliospiza  reichardi,  Partes  griseiventris, 
Tricholais  citriniceps,  Drymceca  pyrrhoptera,  D.  undosa,  and 
Brady ornis  grisea)  by  Dr.  Reichenow  and  one  {Cheetura 
hoehmi)  by  Herr  Schalow.  Critical  remarks  and  collector's 
notes  are  appended  to  each  species.  Another  collection  of 
Dr.  Bohm's  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Tanganyika  is  on  the 
road  home. 

20.  Stearns  on  the  Natural  History  of  Labrador. 

[Notes  on  the  Natural  History  of  Labrador.  By  W.  A.  Stearns.  Proc. 
U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1883,  p.  111.] 

Mr.  Stearns  gives  a  list  of  the  mammals^  birds,  and  plants 
collected  during  several  expeditions  along  the  coast  which  he 
made  in  1875,  1880-81,  and  1882,  in  company,  on  the  last 
occasion,  with  a  party  of  twelve  young  collegcmen,  by  whom 
much  good  work  was  done.  The  birds  enumerated,  with 
short  notes  to  each,  are  111  in  number,  a  few  being  added 
on  the  authority  of  Dr.  Coues.  Mr.  Stearns  asserts  that 
Somateria  v-nigrum*  is  "  abundant  in  large  flocks  in  spring," 
though  he  does  not  appear  to  have  secured  specimens.  The 
King  Eider  {S.  spectabilis)  was  found  breeding  on  a  small 
island  opposite  Mingan  by  Mr.  N.  A.  Comeau. 

21.  Vorderman's  '  Birds  of  Batavia.' 

[Bataviasche  Vogels  door  A.  G.  Vorderman.  Part  IV.  Overgedrukt 
uit  liet  Natuiu-k.  Tijds.  Nederl.  Indie,  Deel  xliii.  Afl.  i.] 

The  fourth  part  of  Herr  Vorderman's  essays  on  Batavian 
birds  contains  descriptions  of  23  species.  Cory  His  (melius 
Loriculus)  galgulus  is  an  addition  to  the  Javan  Psittacid^. 
Trichogramoptila  (q.  Munia  ?)  leucogastroides  is  one  of  the 
commonest  birds  round  Batavia,  and  nests  within  the  city. 

22.  Watson  on  the  Penguins. 

[Report  on  the  Scientific  Results  of  the  Voyage  of  H.M.S. '  Challenger,' 

*  Not  Somateria  v-nigra  (as  written),  as  the  adjective  should  agree 
■with  Vy  which  is  neuter  by  tradition. 


112  .  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Zoology,  Vol.  VII.  Part  XVIII.     Report  on  the  Auatomy  of  the  Sphe- 
niscidae.     By  Prof.  Morrison  Watson,  M.D.,  F.R.S.E.] 

Prof.  Watson's  exhaustive  treatise  on  the  anatomy  of 
the  Penguins  is  based  on  specimens  of  eight  species  of  this 
group  collected  during  the  voyage  of  the  *  Challenger/  toge- 
ther with  additional  specimens  from  other  quarters.  The 
present  Report  relates  only  to  the  anatomy  of  the  adult  forms 
of  these  species^  it  being  proposed  to  treat  of  the  young  and 
embryonic  forms  in  a  second  memoir. 

Taking  the  Eudyjites  chrysocome  of  Tristan  d'Acunha  as  a 
standard  of  comjiarison,  the  author  enters  at  full  length  into 
the  osteology,  arthrology,  myology,  angeiology,  neurology, 
and  splanchnology  of  these  birds  with  a  comjileteness  of 
detail  which  leaves  little  to  be  desired.  He  then  proceeds  to 
speak  of  the  subdivision  of  the  Spheniscidse,  and  makes  the 
following  remarks  on  the  generic  divisions  in  general  use  : — 

"  The  various  species  of  Penguins  which  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  of  examining  have  been  arranged  by  ornithlo- 
gists,  relying  on  the  consideration  of  skins  and  feathers,  into 
five  genera,  namely,  Aptenodytes,  Pygosceles,  Spheniscus,  Eu- 
dyptes,  and  Eudyptila.  Such  are  the  genera  to  be  found  in 
Gray's  '  Hand-list  of  the  Genera  and  Species  of  Birds,'  and, 
with  the  exception  of  Eudyptila,  in  Sclater's  Report  on  the 
Birds  collected  by  the  '  Challenger.'  The  examination  of  the 
complete  anatomy  of  these  birds  appears  to  me,  so  far  as  the 
species  examined  are  concerned,  to  lead  to  the  conclusion 
that  they  ought  all  to  be  included  within  the  limits  of  three 
genera — Aptenodytes,  Spheniscus,  and  Eudyptes. 

"  In  accordance  with  this  view,  the  genus  Aptenodytes 
would  include  the  two  species  longirostris  and  teeniatus.  The 
anatomy  of  these  two  birds,  although  presenting  specific 
differences,  does  not,  as  it  seems  to  me,  justify  their  separa- 
tion as  types  of  two  distinct  genera,  seeing  that  in  every 
anatomical  point  which  can  be  considered  of  generic  value 
Pygosceles  and  Aptenodytes  entirely  agree.  This  much  may 
certainly  be  said  without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  in  re- 
spect of  their  anatomy,  Pygosceles  and  Aptenodytes  diff'er 
less  from  one  another  than  do  undoubtedly  distinct  species 


Recerithj  jyublished  Ornithological  Works.  113 

of  either  the  genus  Eudyptes  or  Spheniscus.  In  all  essential 
points  of  their  anatomy,  moreover,  these  two  birds  differ 
similarly  from  that  of  the  members  of  other  genera." 

From  a  second  important  disquisition,  on  "  the  origin  of 
the  Penguins,'^  we  extract  the  following  remarks  : — 

"  So  far  as  the  metatarsal  bones  are  concerned,  it  appears, 
from  the  observations  of  Gegenbaur,  that  even  in  those  birds 
in  which  the  metatarsal  bones  ultimately  fuse  to  form  a  single 
undivided  mass,  these  bones  originally  present  the  form  of 
four  distinct  and  separate  elements.  It  seems  therefore,  if 
conclusions  based  upon  embryology  are  of  any  value,  that 
we  must  conclude  that  birds,  as  we  now  know  them,  were 
derived  from  an  ancestral  group,  the  members  of  which, 
along  with  other  peculiarities,  were  possessed  of  at  least  four 
distinct  and  separable  metatarsal  bones.  These  four  bones 
were  originally  separate  and  distinct,  but  subsequently  be- 
came more  or  less  completely  fused  together  to  form  the 
single  metatarsal  bone  which  is  characteristic  of  the  majority 
of  birds.  Inasmuch  as  the  Penguins  retain  the  individuality 
of  the  separate  metatarsal  bones  to  a  greater  extent  than 
other  birds,  it  would  appear  that  they  are  the  modern  repre- 
sentatives of  a  group  which  had  diverged  from  the  primitive 
avian  stem  at  a  time  when  as  yet  the  metatarsal  bones  had 
neither  lost  their  individuality  nor  had  become  fused  toge- 
ther to  form  the  single  bone,  which  is  one  of  the  charac- 
teristics of  the  majority  of  birds  of  the  present  day. 

"  This  conclusion  can  only  be  denied  on  the  supposition 
that  the  earliest  members  of  the  group  of  the  Spheniscida 
were  derivatives  from  the  avian  stem  at  a  period  when  the 
separate  metatarsal  bones  had  been  already  fused  to  form  a 
single  mass,  as  in  modern  birds,  a  supposition  which  appears 
to  the  last  degree  improbable,  when  we  consider  that,  in 
accepting  it,  we  must  suppose  that  the  avian  metatarsal 
bones  must,  in  the  first  instance,  have  undergone  coalescence, 
and  thereafter  became  differentiated  from  one  another  in  the 
members  of  one  particular  group,  and  in  one  only.  It  would 
therefore  appear  that  the  group  Spheniscidse  is  one  of  con- 
siderable antiquity,  and  that  it  must  have  diverged  from  the 

8ER.  v. VOL.   II.  I 


114  Letters,  Announcements,  ^r. 

avian  stem  at  a  time  when  as  yet  the  metatarsal  bones  formed 
distinct  and  independent  entities  in  the  members  of  the  entire 
class  of  birds." 

Nineteen  admirably  executed  plates  illustrate  this  excellent 
memoir. 


XII. — Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 
Editors  of 'The  Ibis:'— 

6  Oxford  and  Cambridge  Mansions, 
12tli  November,  1883. 

SiRS^ — No  one  who  has  perused  the  last  Journal  of  the  late 
W.  A.  Forbes,  which  is  published  in  'The Ibis'  for  October,  can 
fail  to  admire  the  spirit  with  which,  in  spite  of  failing  health, 
he  attempted  to  carry  out  the  project  he  had  in  view,  and  his 
devotion  to  the  last  to  the  cause  of  Ornithology.  Nor  will 
any  one  deny  that  the  proposal  made  by  Capt.  Shelley  in  the 
same  number  of  '  The  Ibis,'  to  rename  a  species  which  Mr. 
Forbes  procured  on  the  Niger,  j^gialitis  forhesl,  is  a  well- 
deserved  tribute  to  his  memory,  although  I  am  one  of  those 
who  think  that  the  practice  of  naming  species  after  indi- 
viduals is  now-a-days  far  too  common. 

Circumstances  which  I  need  not  here  detail,  led  me  to 
describe  the  same  species  in  '  The  Zoologist '  for  October,  and 
to  propose  for  it  the  name  of  JEffialitis  nigris.  On  reflection, 
I  think  that  I  should  have  done  better  had  I  stated  that  I 
believed  Capt.  Shelley  had  proposed  to  call  it u^gialitisforbesi, 
and  had  expressed  my  concurrence  in  that  course. 

Under  the  circumstances  I  propose  that  the  name  suggested 
by  me  should  be  treated  as  a  synonym,  and  that  the  species 
should  stand  as  JEgialitis  forbesi,  Shelley. 

I  am,  &c., 

J,  E.  Harttng. 


74  .lermyn  Street,  St.  James's, 
November  16th,  1888. 

SiKs, — Happening  to  be  at  Turin  on  Wednesday,  the  31st 


Letters,  Announcements,  6^c.  116 

of  October  last,  I  went  to  the  shop  of  Signor  Bouomi,  the 
naturalist^  of  7  Via  Lagrange^  who  told  me  that  a  bird 
unknown  to  him  had  been  brought  in  on  the  previous  day  by  a 
chasseur,  who  said  he  had  shot  it  near  Turin,  and  who  wanted 
it  arranged  to  adorn  the  hat  of  his  inamorata.  Bonomi  pro- 
duced the  bird  in  the  flesh  :  I  at  once  saw  that  it  was  a  flne 
specimen  of  the  "  Yellow-billed  American  Cuckoo/'  Coccyzus 
americanus  (Linn.).  I  was  of  course  much  interested  in  the 
discovery ;  for  this  species  has  never  before  been  known  to 
occur  in  Italy,  though  an  example  of  its  near  relation,  Coc- 
cyzus erythrophthalmus  (Wils.),  was  shot  near  Lucca  in  1858 
and  is  now  in  the  museum  of  Pisa. 

Anxious  to  rescue  this  unique  Italian  specimen  of  the 
species  from  the  ignominious  fate  in  store  for  it  .(for  I  hold 
that  the  basest  use  to  which  a  rare  bird  can  be  put  is  to  be 
stuck  on  a  woman's  hat),  I  offered  Bonomi  10  francs  for  the 
bird,  and  told  him  to  suggest  to  the  young  man  that  a  King- 
fisher, a  Golden  Oriole,  or  some  bright-plumaged  exotic  bird 
would  make  far  more  show  in  the  young  person's  hat.  He 
promised  to  do  so,  and  seemed  to  have  no  doubt  as  to  the 
success  of  the  proposed  arrangement.  I  called  on  the  fol- 
lowing day,  and  saw  the  bird  skinned  and  nicely  made  up  ; 
but  I  was  not  able  to  carry  ofi"  the  prize,  as  the  owner  had 
not  again  been  to  the  shop.  I  accordingly  returned  next 
morning,  when  Bonomi  told  me  that  the  chasseur  would  not 
give  up  the  bird  for  any  consideration  or  at  any  price,  saying 
that  he  had  shown  it  to  his  young  woman  and  promised  it  to 
her  for  her  hat,  and  that  therefore  she  must  have  that  very 
bird  and  no  other;  and  that  he  had,  in  fact,  taken  it  away 
with  him.  I  then  wrote  and  told  Professor  Giglioli  of  Florence 
all  about  it,  and  went  and  found  Count  Salvadori  of  Turin, 
and  took  him  to  Bouomi's  shop,  and  so  put  him  on  the  scent. 
Have  these  gentlemen  been  more  successful  than  I  was  ? 
Chi  lo  sa'i  I  hope  so ;  for  if  not,  this  unique  Italian  spe- 
cimen of  Coccyzus  americanus  still  adorns  the  hat  of  the 
inamorata  of  the  Turin  chasseur. 

Yours  &c., 

E.  Cavendish  Taylor. 


116  Letters,  Amiouncenients,  6j'c. 

Turin  Zoological  Museum, 
November  23rd,  1883. 
Sirs, — I  think  it  will  interest  the  readers  of '  The  Ibis^  to 
know  that  a  living  pair,  fully  adult,  of  the  recently  described 
Struthio  molybdophanes  is  in  the  aviary  of  Dr.  Monaco,  in 
Turin.  The  owner  bought  them  in  Antwerp  last  September. 
The  female  has  grey  feathers,  like  that  sex  of  S.  camelus. 

I  am,  Yours  &c., 

T.  Salvadori. 

[This  supposed  new  species  of  Ostrich  has,  as  we  are 
informed,  been  described  in  a  recent  number  of  a  periodical 
which  has  not  yet  reached  this  country,  the  principal 
distinction,  we  believe,  being  that  the  naked  portions  of 
the  body  are  lead-coloured  instead  of  red.  Similar  Ostriches 
are  in  the  Jardin  d'Acclimatation  at  Paris,  and  one  was 
recently  in  the  Zoological  Society^s  Gardens  in  the  Regent's 
park.  The  existence  of  this  form  has  long  been  known  to 
us,  but  we  should  never  have  thought  of  making  a  "new 
species"  out  of  it. —  Edd.] 


Topclyffe  Grange, 

Faruburough,  Beckenham,  Kent. 

December  13,  1883. 

Sirs, — Mr.  Seebohm,  who,  in  his  '  History  of  British 
Birds,'  complains  so  feelingly  of  the  ''slipshod''  way  in 
which  ornithological  work  has  been  of  late  done  by  himself 
and  others,  furnishes  in  that  book  (vol.  ii.  p.  286,  note)  a 
telling  example  of  the  truth  of  his  complaint  by  his  synony- 
mical  treatment  of  certain  Shore-Larks.  He  prefaces  his 
remarks  (which  are  written  in  the  spirit  that  commonly 
pervades  his  criticisms  of  the  authors  on  whose  labours  his 
own  book  is  based)  as  follows: — "Dresser,  in  his  'Birds  of 
Europe,'  has  so  confused  the  synonymy  of  the  Asiatic  species 
and  races  of  Shore-Larks  that  I  have  had  some  considerable 
difficulty  in  disentangling  the  skein ;"  and,  rushing  in  where 
more  cautious  ornithologists  have  feared  to  tread,  rashly 
identifies  Gould's  Otocorys  louyirostiis  with  the  small  pale 
Shore-Lark    to  Avhich  I,   in   my  Avork   on  European    Birds 


Letters,  Announcements,  i^c.  117 

(iv.  p.  401).  gave  the  name  Otocorys  brandti.  I  have  now 
before  me  the  type  of  my  species,  as  well  as  '  The  Ibis '  for 
1881,  in  which  Mr.  Scully  has  given  a  figure  (p.  581)  of  the 
head  of  O.  longir'ostr'is ;  and  no  unbiassed  ornithologist  can 
for  a  moment  doubt  that  Mr.  Seebohm  has  made  an  egregious 
"  blunder "  in  uniting  these  two  birds,  as  will  easily  be  seen 
by  the  following  comparison  of  their  characters  : — 

OtOCOBYS  BKANDTl.  OxOCOBYS  LOKGIROSTRIS. 

Decidedly  smaller  than  O.  peni-  Decidedly  larger  than  O.  pcni- 

cillata.  cillata. 

A    conspicuous    black    capistral  No  black  on  the  capistrum. 
band,  as  broad  as  in  many  adult 
males  of  O.  penicillata. 

The  black  patch  on  the  side  of  The  black  patch  on  the  side  of 

the  neck  separated  from  the  black  the  neck  separated  fi'om  the  black 

gorget  by   a   very    narrow    white  gorget  by  a  broad   white  band  a 

band,  not  an  eighth  of  an  inch  in  quarter  of  an  inch  in  width, 
width. 

Bill  short  and  stout.  Bill  long  and  (judging  from  the 

figure)  rather  slender  than  stout. 

Whole  length  6-5  inches  ;  wing  Whole  length  8'2o  to  8"5  inches  ; 

4-4;  tail  3-3  ;  tarsus  -82  ;  bill  from  wing  4-93  to  5-2  ;  tail  3-6  to  3-75; 

gape  •'d2.  tarsus  -92  to  '95 ;  bill  from  gape  "8 

to  -82. 

Mr.  Scully  does  not  state  whether  in  coloration  Otocorys 
lotigirostris  is  as  dai'k  as  O.  penicillata,  or  is,  like  O.  brandti, 
remarkable  for  the  extremely  pale  tinge  of  its  plumage. 
Erom  this  fact  I  infer  that  0.  longirostris  does  not  differ 
much  in  plumage  from  O.  penicillata. 

I  am  so  averse  to  entering  upon  controversy  that  I  should 
have  followed  my  practice  of  leaving  unnoticed  the  hostile 
comments  of  Mr.  Seebohm,  were  it  not  that  in  the  interests 
of  science  it  would  be  wrong  for  me  to  allow  an  error  of  this 
kind  to  pass  unchallenged.  Surely  a  writer,  who  apparently 
affects  the  character  of  an  ornithological  critic  with  a  special 
vocation  to  point  out  and  supply  the  shortcomings  of  all  his 
predecessors,  should  be  a  little  more  careful,  and  should  com- 
pare specimens  before  committing  himself  to  print. 

That  I  was  in  error  in  referring  0.  longirostris  to  O.  peni- 


118  Letters,  Antiouncernents,  ^'C. 

cillata  I  freely  own —  that  is,  if,  as  I  sujjpose  to  be  the  case, 
the  bird  figured  by  Mr.  Scully  be  really  Otocorys  longirostris 
of  Gould ;  but  it  will  be  seen  by  my  article  that  when  I  was 
writing  in  1874,  I  could  not,  with  the  materials  at  my  com- 
mand, speak  with  certainty.  Since  that  time  so  much  has 
come  to  light  that  there  is  no  excuse  for  Mr.  Seebohm^s 
further  complicating  matters  by  a  "  blunder  ^^  which  can 
arise  from  carelessness  only. 

Yours  &c., 

H.  E.  Dresser. 


Li^ge,  7  D^cembre,  1883. 

Messieurs, — J'ai  rcfu  avec  une  grande  satisfaction  le 
volume  *A  List  of  British  Birds'  que  votre  Comite  a  eu 
la  gracieusete  de  m'envoyer. 

Je  Pai  etudie  le  jour  meme  de  sa  reception  avec  le  plus 
grand  empressement,  car  les  ornithologistes  distingues  qui 
I'ont  elabore  donnent  k  ce  livre  une  grande  valeur. 

J'ai  ete  particuli^rement  heureux  de  voir  la  distinction  qui 
est  faite  entre  les  esp^ces  erratiques  positivement  observees 
dans  la  Grande  Bretagne  et  celles  dont  Findication  dans 
votre  pays  est  douteuse  ou  meme  positivement  erronee.  Un 
tel  travail  etait  tres  desirable. 

Je  me  permets  de  vous  soumettre  quelques  observations 
tres  courtes  sur  un  petit  nombre  de  points,  currente  calamo. 

Je  remarque  que  la  '  List '  enumere  comme  especes  des 
formes  qui  me  semblent  peu  distinctes,  p.  e. : — Pari  britan- 
nicus  et  ater,  Acredulce  rosea  et  caudata,  Cincli  melano- 
gaster  et  aquaticus,  Motacillce  lugubris  et  alba  et  quelques 
autres  encore. 

Ayant  vu  h,  Heligoland,  chez  Mr.  Gatke,  le  Loxia  que  vous 
citez  comme  L.  leucoptera,  il  m'a  paru  que  c^est  la  forme  de 
Fancien  continent  (palsearctique)  si  nommee  bifasciata  et 
non  le  L.  leiicoj)tera  am^ricain.  Je  crois  du  reste  que  ces  deux 
formes  ne  sont  pas  specifiquement  distinctes. 

En  lisant  le  nom  de  Che7i  albatus  je  regrette  qu'il  n'y  ait 
pas  une  note  explicative  sur  les  divers  exemplaires  de  Chen 
observes  en  Europe,  et  que  Ton  donne  generalement  comme 


Letters,  Announcements,  i^c.  119 

Chen  hyperhoreus.  Dans  les  collections  je  n'ai  pas  encore 
vu  des  exemplaires  europeens  blancs  ^hyperhoreus,  uiais  seule- 
ment  des  exemplaires  ressemblant  k  la  description  ancienne 
de  Cderulescens.  Une  verification  de  cet  exemplaire  tue  en 
Europe,  notamment  en  Orient,  serait  fort  interessante. 

Je  ne  sais  pas  pourquoi  le  nom  di  arundinacea  {Turdus 
arundinaceus,  Linne)  est  supprime  pour  Acrocephalus  tur- 
doides,  puisque  vous  ne  I'adoptez  pas  non  plus  (ex  Gmel.) 
pour  V Acrocephalus  streperus. 

Je  fais  la  meme  observation  pour  Sterna  hirundo,  Linne, 
qui  n'est  pas  cite. 

Mais  je  n' attache  pas  grande  importance  a  ces  remarques, 
qui  ne  diminuent  nullement  la  grande  importance  de  votre 
travail,  et  que  je  ne  fais  qu^k  titre  de  simple  conversation. 

Agreez  &c., 

E.  DE  Selys-Longchamps. 


Forbes'' s  Final  Idea  as  to  the  Classification  of  Birds. 

[At  the  end  of  Forbes's  Journal,  written  in  pencil,  dated 
oxAj  four  days  before  his  death.] 

"  My  final  idea  as  to  the  classification  of  birds. — W.  A.  F., 
10.1.83." 

Superorder  Odontobnithes. 

I.  Saururae.     1.  III.  Odontolgae.     1. 

II.  Odontotornae.     1. 

Superorder  Rhynchornithes. 

IV.  Struthiones.     1.  XVI.  Impeunes.     1. 

V.  Apteryges.     1.  XVII.  Tubinares.     2. 

VI.  Ehese.     1.  XVIII,  Pseudogryphi.     1. 

VII.  Crypturi.     1.  XIX.  Herodiones.     3. 

VIII.  Gallinse.     3.  XX.  Accipitres.     1. 

IX.  Opisthocomi.     1.  XXI.  Steganopodes.     3. 

X.  Palamedefe,     1.  XXII.  Pluviales.     8, 

XI.  Eudromades  {a).  7.             XXIII.  ColumbEe.     2. 

?  Odontoglossse.  XXIV.  Todiformes.     1. 

XII.  Semigallinee.     2.  XXV.  Piciformes  (c).     7. 

XIII.  Psittaci.     1.  XXVI.  Coraciiformes.     2. 

XIV.  Lamellirostres.     1.  XXVII.  Meropiformes.     8. 
XV.  Eretopodes  {h).     3.  XXVIII.  Passeres. 


120  Letters,  Announcements,  5fC. 

(a)    EUDROMADES.  (c)    PlCIFORMF.S. 

Rallidse.  PicidaB. 


Psophiidse.  Capitonidae. 

CEdicnemidse.  Bucerotidse.     ^ 

Otididfe.  UpupidiB. 

Cariamidae.  (Irrisoridie  ?) 


Suborder  Pici. 


Serpen  tariidfe.  Alcedinidae. 

Phcenicopteridfe.  Coliidse. 

Momotidae. 


):  Subord.  Halcyones. 


(h)  Eretopodks. 

Colymbidae. 

Podicipitidoe. 

Heliornithidt'e. 

[The  numbers  after  the  orders  evidently  denote  the  number 
of  families  comprised  in  each  order. — Edd.] 


The  Neiv  Bird-Gallery  at  South  Kensington. — The  mounted 
collection  of  birds  of  the  British  Museum  has  now  been 
transferred  to  South  Kensington  and  arranged  in  the  large 
gallery  on  the  ground-floor  to  the  left  on  entering  the 
building,  below  that  occupied  by  the  Mammals.  The  main 
series  of  birds  occupies  44  cases  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
central  gangway,  while  the  Struthiones  and  Tinami  have 
been  allotted  to  the  large  chamber  at  the  end,  where  the 
Gould  collection  of  Humming-birds  has  been  likewise  placed. 
The  series  of  birds  begins  with  the  Accipitres  to  the  left  as 
one  enters,  and  returning  on  the  north  side,  concludes  with 
the  Penguins  on  the  right.  The  arrangement  of  much  of 
the  collection  can  at  present  be  regarded  only  as  provisional, 
for  in  many  instances  representatives  of  very  different  natural 
families  are  mixed  up  together,  as,  we  trust,  will  not  ulti- 
mately be  the  case.  But  it  cannot  of  course  be  expected 
that,  in  the  transfer  of  such  an  enormous  collection,  every 
specimen  can  fall  into  its  proper  place  at  once.  There  can, 
however,  be  no  question  that,  when  reduced  into  proper 
order  and  accurately  labelled,  the  series  in  the  new  Bird- 
gallery  will  be  the  finest  in  Europe,  and  will  give  even  the 
casual  visitor  a  grand  idea  of  the  extent  and  variety  of  the 
great  class  Aves. 


Letters,  Announcements,  S^c.  121 

The  U.S.  National  Museum. — The  recently  issued  Report 
of  the  Smithsonian  Institution  for  1881  contains  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  progress  made  in  that  year  with  the  col- 
lection of  birds : — 

"  In  the  department  of  birds  there  have  been  seventy-four 
accession  lots.  1^  Under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway 
there  has  been  much  activity  in  this  department  in  reor- 
ganizing the  exhibition  series  of  specimens  and  in  eliminating 
duplicates  from  the  storage  series.  There  have  been  4345 
entries  in  the  catalogue.  The  removal  of  the  mammals  and 
skeletons  to  the  new  building  will  give  an  opportunity  for  a 
much  more  satisfactory  exhibition  of  the  ornithological  col- 
lections. 

''The  most  important  addition  has  been  Mr.  Ridgway's 
private  collection  of  American  birds,  containing  2302  speci- 
mens of  778  species,  especially  important  because  the  speci- 
mens  have  been  selected  in  the  field  to  illustrate  variations 
of  colour  and  form  due  to  age,  sex,  and  geographical  location. 
In  addition^to  numerous  small  collections,  others  of  special 
interest  have  been  received  of  the  birds  of  Mexico  and  Yuca- 
tan from  A.  Boucard,  of  Paris ;  of  Surinam  from  C.  J.  Hering, 
of  Paramaribo;  of  Grenada  from  J.  G.  Wells,  of  Saint  An- 
drews ;  of  Guatemala  from  L.  Guesde ;  of  Dominica  from 
Dr.  H:  A.  Nichols;  of  Costa  Rica  from  J.  C.  Zeledon ;  of 
Japan  from  Dr.  F.  C.  Dale,  U.S.N. ;  of  Florida  from  Messrs. 
J.  Bell  and  S.  T.  Walker ;  of  Wyoming  from  Charles  Ruby ; 
of  Indiana  from  Mr.  Ridgway ;  and  of  Illinois  from  Mr.  L. 
M.  Turner. 

"  Mr.  Ridgway  gives  the  following  census  of  the  bird  col- 
lection : — 

Reserve  series : 

Mounted  specimens  ....       7,000 
Skins 40,000 

Total  reserve 47,000 

Duplicates 8,000 

Total 55,000 


SEE.  V. VOL.  H. 


122  Letters,  Annonncements,  S^c. 

The  National  Museum  of  Lisbon. — Our  excellent  corre- 
spondent Prof.  J.  V.  Barboza  du  Bocage,  having  accepted 
office  in  tlie  present  Portnguese  Government^  has,  for  the  pre- 
sent, given  up  the  Directorship  of  the  Zoological  Section  of 
the  National  Museum  of  Lisbon  (to  which  institution  he  has, 
as  we  all  know,  for  a  long  period  devoted  much  time  and 
attention)  to  Dr.  Fernando  Mattroso.  The  Museum,  which 
I  have  lately  had  the  pleasiu-e  of  visiting  under  Prof,  Bocage's 
guidance,  occupies  a  series  of  five  rooms  in  the  Escuola  Poly- 
technica  at  Lisbon,  The  ornithological  portion  is  divided 
into  three  sections  :  (1)  the  general  series,  (2)  the  native 
birds  of  Portugal,  (3)  the  birds  of  the  Portuguese  colonies  in 
West  Africa.  The  last  is  the  most  important,  as  containing 
the  specimens  described  in  Prof.  Bocage's  lately  finished 
work  on  the  Birds  of  Angola.  It  contains  representatives  of 
about  600  species,  partly  mounted  and  partly  in  skin. 
Amongst  some  of  the  most  prominent  of  these  may  be  men- 
tioned examples  of  StactolcEina  anchietce,  Ehninia  albicauda, 
Neocichla  gutturalis,  Hyhjpsornis  salvadorii,  Sharpia  angolensis, 
Penthetria  bocagii,  Ardea  calceolata,  and  Pelecanus  shcn-pii, 
many  of  which  are  the  original  types.  In  the  Portuguese 
local  series  is  a  fine  example  of  Saxicola  leucura  from  near 
Coimbra,  not  hitherto  generally  known  to  occur  so  far  west 
in  Europe.  In  the  general  collection  is  a  fine  stuffed  speci- 
men of  Alca  impennis,  presented  by  King  Victor  Emmanuel 
to  his  son-in-law,  the  present  King  of  Portugal,  in  1867,  and 
an  egg  of  the  same  bird,  lately  discovered  among  the  debris 
of  the  old  collections  of  the  Museum.  Senhor  J.  A.  de 
Sousa,  the  present  Gustos  of  the  Zoological  Section  of  the 
Lisbon  Museum,  is  an  accomplished  ornithologist,  and  has  a 
new  list  of  the  birds  of  Portugal   in  preparation. — P.  L. 

SCLATER. 


Bird-Notes  from  Mr.  Layard  (Brit.  Gons.  Noumea,  New 
Caledonia,  Sept.  2nd,  1883) . — "  Yon  ask  for  bird-news.  Alas, 
I  have  none  !  I  can^t  skin  any  more,  as  my  left  hand  is  stif- 
fening. I  have  not  seen  a  bird  for  months,  except  sparrows. 
I  heard  from  Norfolk  Island  last  week.  My  correspondent 
has  found  the  Gygis  Candida  breeding  there,  laying  on  the 


Letters,  Announcements,  6fc.  123 

bare  branch,  as  has  been  described ;  he  sends  eggs,  which 
some  day  I  shall  send  to  Tristram.  Also  an  egg  which  I 
really  think  is  that  of  Nestor  productus ! !  It  was  found 
on  Nepean  Island,  and  is  quite  unknown  to  the  Norfolk 
islanders.  I  certainly  think  it  is  that  egg.  What  else  can  it 
be  ?  He  sends  to  me  for  identification  the  skin  of  Chrysococcyx 
lucidus,  not  hitherto  recorded  from  that  island.  The  '  great 
Snipe  ■"  o£  the  island  turns  out  to  be  Limosa  novce-zealandia, 
and  the  '  little  Snipe  '  C/iaradrius  xanthocheilus.  The 
'  Sitterrack '  is  Anous  leucocapillus.  He  has  sent  a  Zos- 
terops  in  alcohol,  all  bright  yellow.  This  phase  of  plumage 
is  not  very  uncommon.  Is  it  not  the  result  of  breeding  in 
and  in  ?  Fresh  blood  would  never  reach  their  small  island. 
I  have  asked  him  to  investigate  the  breeding  of  the  Petrels, 
and  if  they  vary  with  sex  or  age.  This  is  all  I  can  do  in  the 
bird  line.^'  

Neiv  Works  in  Progress. — The  next  two  volumes  of  the 
'British  Museum  Catalogue  of  Birds ■*  to  be  published  will 
contain  the  Cinnyrimorphse  (families  Nectariniidse  and  Meli- 
phagidae)  by  Dr.  Gadow,  and  the  Dicaeidas,  Hirundinidse, 
Motacillidse,  Mniotiltidse,  and  Ampelidae  by  Mr.  Sharpe. 
The  former  of  these  is  nearly  through  the  press. 

Mr.  Salvin  has  most  of  the  plates  drawn  for  a  mono- 
graph of  the  Petrels  (Tubinares),  to  which  group,  as  we  all 
know,  he  has  for  some  years  devoted  special  attention. 

Dr.  Buller,  we  understand,  has  in  contemplation  a  new 
work  on  the  Birds  of  New  Zealand,  to  be  illustrated  by 
coloured  figures  of  all  the  species,  and  has  invited  Mr.  Keu- 
lemans  to  run  over  and  do  the  drawings  for  him  ! 

Mr.  R.  Wardlaw- Ramsay  is  preparing  a  catalogue  of  the 
magnificent  collection  bequeathed  to  him  by  the  late  Lord 
Tweeddale. 

Capt.  Shelley  has  in  contemplation  a  list  of  the  described 
species  of  African  birds. 

Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser  is  projecting  a  monograph  of  the  Rollers 
(Coraciidse)  as  a  companion  to  his  nearly  ready  volume  on 
the  Bee-eaters  (Meropidse),  of  Avhich  the  prospectus  is  now 
before  us.  


124  Letters,  Announcements ,  ^c. 

Rare  Birds  in  Andalucia. — Lord  Lilford  writes  : — "  It  may 
interest  you  to  hear  that  I  have  lately  received  a  pair  of 
Cursorius  galUcus,  which  were  killed  in  the  Marisma  de 
Lebrija_,  not  far  above  San  Lucar  de  Barrameda,  on  20th 
August  ult.  These  are  the  first  that  I  have  received  from 
Spain,  though  the  bird  has  been  now  and  then  met  with 
near  Malaga.  I  also  received  three  good  skins  of  Hydro- 
chelidon  leucoptera  from  the  Goto  de  Donana,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Guadalquivir.  Neither  Irby  nor  I  ever  obtained 
this  bird  from  Andalucia  before.  I  believe  that  it  has  been 
met  with  at  Valencia,  or  rather  at  the  Albufera,  about  seven 
miles  from  that  town ;  but  the  Guadalquivir  is  very  far  west 
for  this  eastern  species. '•* 

The  Birds  of  the  Bonin  Islmids. — The  Bonin  group  of 
islands,  which  lie  north  of  the  Carolines  and  some  500  miles 
S.E.  of  Japan,  seem  to  have  been  entirely  neglected  by  natu- 
ralists since  they  were  visited  in  1828  by  F.  H.  v.  Kittlitz. 
Kittlitz  tells  us  that  he  met  with  fifteen  species  of  birds  in 
the  Bonin  Islands,  besides  ascertaining  the  existence  of  nine 
or  ten  others.  In  his  memoir  {'  Ueber  die  Vogel  der  Insel- 
gruppe  von  Bonin-sima,'  Mem.  pres.  Acad.  Sc.  St.  Peters- 
bourg,  i.  p.  231,  1831)  he  describes  and  figures  several  re- 
markable and  little-known  species  [Uos  familiaris,  Si/lvia 
diphone,  Fringilla  papa,  Oriolus  squamiceps)  peculiar  to  the 
group.  The  Bonin  Islands  being  now  Japanese  territory 
and  of  easy  access,  we  trust  that  some  of  our  fellow- workers 
in  Japan  will  not  overlook  this  outlyiog  part  of  their  field  of 
operations.  A  fresh  investigation  of  this  remote  group 
would  supply  specimens  of  species  scarcely  known  to  us,  and 
probably  lead  to  the  discovery  of  others  new  to  science. 

Dr.  Fischer's  East-African  Collections. — Dr.  G.  A.  Fischer 
(of  whose  expedition  we  spoke  in  our  last  issue,  '  Ibis/  1883, 
p.  583)  has  returned  to  Berlin  with  his  collections  from  the 
Masai  country  and  the  base  of  Kilima-ndjaro.  There  are 
said  to  be  about  thirty  species  of  birds  new  to  science  in  the 
series,  and  amongst  them  the  finest  Touracou  {Corythaix)  yet 
discovered.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Deutsche  Ornitho- 
logische  Gesellschaft  has  been  held  to  do  him  honour. 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH  SERIES. 


No.  VI.     APRIL  1884. 


XIII. — Field-Notes  from  Slavonia  and  Hungary,  with  an  An- 
notated List  of  the  Birds  observed  in  Slavonia.  By  W. 
Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S.,  M.B.O.U. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  an  ornithological  trip  under- 
taken by  Messrs.  Harrison,  Tennant,  and  the  writer  during 
portions  of  the  months  of  May  and  June  of  the  present  year 
(1883)  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  the  Ohedska  Bara,  an  ex- 
tensive marsh  on  the  river  Save,  in  Slavonia.  It  has  been 
thought  best  to  treat  of  it  in  diary  form,  giving  a  broad  out- 
line of  our  doings,  and  to  conclude  with  a  complete  list  of  all 
the  species  of  birds  observed  in  Slavonia,  a  province  whose 
avifauna  seems  to  have  received  little  or  no  attention  at  the 
hands  of  ornithologists ;  and  it  is  hoped  that  the  information 
thus  afforded  may  be  useful  as  a  contribution  towards  filling 
up  a  gap  in  our  knowledge  of  the  distribution  of  birds  in 
Europe. 

We  left  London  on  the  evening  of  the  lltli  of  May,  and 
after  a  few  hours'  halt  at  Vienna,  arrived  at  Buda-Pesth  on 
the  morning  of  the  15th.  Here  it  was  necessary  to  make 
a  short  stay  to  present  our  letter  of  introduction  to  the  British 

SER.   V. VOL.   II.  L 


126  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

Consul-General,  through  whose  influence  we  hoped  to  obtain 
the  necessary  permit  from  the  Hungarian  government  to 
enter  the  Obedska  Bara,  which  is  strictly  preserved,  and  to 
engage  the  services  of  an  interpreter  to  accompany  us.  In 
the  evening  we  visited  Margaret  Island,  the  charming  plea- 
sure-resort of  the  Pesthians,  situated  in  the  middle  of  the 
Danube,  about  a  mile  above  the  city.  Although  this  beau- 
tiful spot  offered  a  great  variety  of  attractions  in  the  shape  of 
gardens,  baths,  and  military  music,  we  wended  our  way  to  the 
barren  shingly  spit  which  forms  the  northern  extremity  of  the 
island,  and  considered  ourselves  well  repaid  on  finding,  after 
considerable  difficulty,  a  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Little  Ringed 
Plover.  In  the  wooded  portions  of  the  island  a  pair  of 
Hooded  Crows  had  a  nest  within  a  couple  of  hundred  yards 
of  the  band-stand ;  the  Nightingale  and  Golden  Oriole  were 
singing  on  all  sides,  and  we  observed  the  Goldfinch,  Haw- 
finch, Greenfinch,  Tree-Sparrow,  Wryneck,  Jackdaw,  Tawny 
Owl,  and  Sparrow-Hawk. 

May  16th.  In  the  morning  we  visited  the  Hungarian 
National  Museum,  a  fine  handsome  building,  which  possesses 
really  valuable  collections  in  all  departments  of  science  and 
a  large  and  able  staff  of  curators,  at  the  head  of  whom  was 
Herr  Pulszky  Ferencz,  a  companion  of  Kossuth  in  the  doings 
of  1848,  and  who  had  spent  some  years  in  England  as  a 
political  refugee.  We  were  received  by  him  with  the 
greatest  cordiality,  and  were  introduced  to  Dr.  Madarasz- 
Gyula,  the  curator  in  ornithology,  a  most  courteous  and 
obliging  gentleman,  with  whom  we  went  carefully  over  the 
Hungarian  collection  of  birds.  The  afternoon  we  spent  with 
Dr.  Madarasz  in  his  large  well-wooded  town  garden,  where  we 
found  birds  very  numerous^  and  observed,  among  others,  the 
Blackbird,  Nightingale,  Blackcaj),  Barred  Warbler,  Golden 
Oriole,  Hed-backed  Shrike,  Collared  Flycatcher,  Goldfinch, 
Serin,  Greenfinch,  Chaffinch,  Jackdaw,  Hooded  Crow, 
Wryneck,  Cuckoo,  Kestrel,  and  Turtle-Dove,  all  of  which  were 
nesting  there ;  while  above  soared  a  pair  of  Aqiiila  heliaca,  to 
us  a  strange  sight  to  see  above  a  city  of  400,000  inhabitants. 

May  17th.     Under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Madarasz  we  Adsited 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  1.27 

Velencze_,  a  somewhat  shallow  lake,  about  twenty-seveu  miles 
in  length  and  one  and  a  half  in  width,  lying  some  twenty 
miles  S.W.  of  Buda.  On  alighting  at  Dinyes  we  proceeded 
towards  the  village  of  Gardony  along  the  margin  of  the  lake, 
which  consists  of  marshy  meadow-land,  and  were  gratified 
at  the  sight  of  a  pair  of  Black-winged  Stilts,  many  White 
Herons,  several  White-headed  Ducks,  Eed-necked  Grebes, 
White-winged  Black  Terns,  and  Marsh-Harriers,  very  many 
Great  Crested  Grebes,  while  among  the  less  interesting  were 
numerous  Coots  and  Black  Terns,  a  few  Redshanks,  Blue- 
headed  and  White  Wagtails.  At  Gardony,  after  some  delay, 
we  procured  four  small  flat-bottomed  boats,  and  set  off  in 
different  directions  over  the  reed-beds  which  stud  the  centre 
of  the  lake,  each  in  charge  of  a  fisherman  clad  in  a  cotton 
divided  skirt  reaching  below  his  knees,  a  coarse  cloth  tunic, 
and  a  pork -pie  felt  hat,  who  navigated  the  somewhat  preca- 
rious craft  with  great  skill,  aided  only  by  a  long  pole,  with 
which,  although  it  did  not  reach  the  bottom  in  most  places, 
he  managed  to  propel  us  with  considerable  speed.  The 
result  of  our  labours  to  procure  both  specimens  and  eggs 
was  disappointing,  for  we  only  bagged  a  Purple  Heron,  a 
Great  Crested  Grebe,  several  Black  Terns  and  Great  E,eed- 
Warblers ;  while  several  hours^  really  hard  work  among  the 
reed-beds  under  a  broiling  sun  only  resulted  in  our  findina; 
the  nests  and  eggs  of  the  Great  Crested  Grebe  and  Coot  in 
the  utmost  profusion.  Several  nests  of  the  Great  Reed- 
Warbler,  a  species  of  which  the  harsh  notes  resounded  through 
the  reeds  on  all  sides,  were  ready  for  eggs,  and  it  was  noted 
that  more  than  one  of  these  were  coated  with  that  fine  thread- 
like confervoid  growth  so  common  to  stagnant  waters.  When 
afloat  we  made  the  following  additions  to  the  list  of  sj)ecies 
already  enumerated  : — Eared  Grebe,  Little  Bittern,  Mallard, 
Pintail,  White-eyed  Duck,  Avocet,  Spoonbill,  Penduline  Tit, 
Little  Grebe,  Common  Tern,  Brown-headed  Gull,  and  a  large 
species  of  Gull,  the  identity  of  which  we  had  not  a  chance  of 
ascertaining.  With  so  many  good  things  around  us  we  could 
only  account  for  our  almost  blank  day  by  surmising  that  we 
M'cre  too  early  for  eggs.     We  ceased,  however,  to  wonder 

l2 


128  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field- Notes 

whence  all  the  "  grebe "  of  commerce  comes  from,  after 
the  immense  numbers  of  Crested  Grebes  observed  on  the 
limited  area  of  the  lake  we  were  able  to  investigate.  In  the 
village  of  Gardony  a  Stork  had  young,  and  we  added  the 
Bunting,  Swallow,  and  Turtle-Dove  to  our  list.  We  returned 
to  Buda-Pesth  in  the  evening,  and  along  with  our  interpreter 
went  on  board  the  S.S.  '  Fiume,' which  left  for  Semlin  at 

11   P.M. 

May  18th.  On  going  on  deck  in  the  morning  we  found  we 
had  arrived  at  the  small  town  of  Baja,  whence,  until  Vukovar 
is  reached,  the  Danube  traverses  a  flat  country,  which  is,  how- 
ever, abundantly  timbered,  thus  relieving  what  would  other- 
wise be  considered  monotonous  scenery.  In  one  or  two  places 
the  banks  are  somewhat  steep,  and  afford  breeding-stations  to 
numbers  of  Sand-Martins.  At  Vukovar  the  Fruska-Gora 
mountains  run  parallel  to  the  river  on  the  Slavonian  side  as  far 
as  the  junction  with  the  Theiss,  being  about  a  mile  inland, 
so  to  speak,  attaining  a  considerable  height,  probably  over 
2000  feet,  and  clothed  to  the  summit  with  forest.  The 
situation  of  many  of  the  towns  and  villages  was  very  pic- 
turesque, and  that  of  Karlovic  particularly  so.  During  the 
day  we  observed  many  species  of  birds,  including  the  fol- 
lowing— the  Raven,  White-tailed  Eagle,  Black  Kite,  Cor- 
morant, Black  Stork,  and  Sandpiper.  We  arrived  at  Semlin 
at  10  P.M. 

May  19tli-21st.  These  days  were  spent  in  the  miserable 
town  of  Semlin,  where  we  endeavoured  to  find  some  orni- 
thological work  to  do  in  the  neighbourhood  until  our  permit 
from  the  Government  arrived  j  but  in  this  we  failed ;  nor  were 
matters  improved  on  crossing  to  Belgrade,  which  was  only 
thirteen  minutes  by  steamer.  The  situation  of  the  latter 
city  is  extremely  fine,  but  it  is  a  poor  place.  We  noted  a 
Goldfinch  feeding  in  the  main  street  (the  Terrasia)  ;  and 
observed  a  Jackdaw  with  a  large  white  patch  on  its  breast, 
giving  it  the  appearance  of  a  leviathan  Ring- Ouzel. 

May  22nd.  Having  found  a  Slav  jager  who  knew  some- 
thing about  birds,  we  set  off  with  him  in  one  of  the  rough 
primitive  carts  of  the  country  for  the  village  of  Dobauovci, 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary .  129 

about  ten  miles  due  west,  where,  as  he  told  us,  there  are  fine 
woods  and  marshes.  On  leaving  Semlin  the  road  passed  over 
a  large  barren  treeless  common,  above  which  hovered  several 
Black  Kites  and  a  Raven,  possibly  attracted  by  the  great 
numbers  of  that  interesting  little  animal  Spermophllus  citel- 
lus,  which  abounded  here.  The  cart-way  (one  cannot  call 
it  a  road,  for  there  was  no  attempt  at  formation)  then  passed 
through  rich  arable  land,  and  Crested  Larks  became  abundant, 
and  a  solitary  Wheatear  was  observed.  On  approaching 
Dobanovci  a  row  of  acacias  line  each  side  of  the  roadway. 
Here  the  Lesser  Grey  Shrike  was  very  common  and  noisy, 
and  every  now  and  then  darted  from  the  topmost  twigs 
on  to  the  stems  of  last  year's  maize,  which  here  and  there 
remained  in  the  fallows.  We  procured  some  fine  speci- 
mens, their  crops  being  full  of  Coleoptera.  A  Hooded 
Crow  had  a  nest,  off  which  we  shot  the  old  bird,  taking  the 
five  eggs  it  contained.  At  Dobanovci  we  found  the  village 
in  holiday,  it  being  the  feast-day  of  the  patron  saint  of  the 
church ;  and  were  invited  to  join  the  inhabitants  at  their 
roasted  pig  and  sheep,  which  were  being  cooked  in  primitive 
fashion  in  the  churchyard,  where,  too,  the  festive  board  was 
spread.  This  we  did,  while  the  whole  village  looked  on  the 
first  Englishmen  they  had  ever  seen.  White  Storks  were 
very  numerous,  and  nests  occupied  the  tops  of  many  of  the 
chimneys.  The  natives  have  no  regard  whatever  for  this 
bird,  and  we  might  have  had  the  eggs  from  any  of  the  nests ; 
but  they,  unfortunately,  all  contained  young.  Beyond  the 
village  was  a  long  narrow  and  serpentine  marsh,  with  beds  of 
reeds  and  rushes,  which  could  not  be  reached  without  a  boat, 
owing  to  the  depth  of  the  water.  On  our  approach  numbers 
of  Squacco  Herons,  Night-Herons,  Little  Egrets,  Common 
Herons,  and  a  few  Purple  Herons  rose,  and  we  bagged  some 
fine  specimens.  Mallards,  White- eyed  Ducks,  Great  Crested 
Grebes,  and  Great  Reed-Warblers  were  common,  and  we 
observed  a  single  Little  Bittern.  We  next  visited  a  large 
oak-forest  a  few  miles  to  the  west,  where  Black  Ki'tes  were 
very  abundant,  and  soon  found  a  nest,  off  which  we  shot 
the  old  female  and  obtained  specimens  of  the  young  in  down 


130  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

— greyisli-white  little  creatui'es  a  few  days  old.  The  nest 
was  a  flat  structure  of  sticks,  lined  witli  finer  sticks,  pieces  o£ 
moss,  and  a  quantity  of  old  red  flannel.  A  nest  of  the 
Raven  had  large  young,  one  of  which  was  perched  on  its 
margin,  after  the  manner  of  a  young  Rook.  We  also 
found  the  nests  of  the  Red-hacked  Shrike,  Blackcap,  Barred 
Warhlcr,  &c.  Among  other  species  we  noted  the  Hawfinch, 
Wiyneck,  Creeper^  Sombre  Tit,  Long-tailed  Tit,  and  Roller, 
and  a  single  specimen  of  the  Icterine  Warbler  was  obtained. 
This  wood  was  remarkably  rich  in  Lepidoptera,  especially 
larvae,  among  which  we  observed  those  of  Endromis  versicolor 
and  Cnethocampa  processionea,  and  found  the  imago  of  Sa- 
iuniia  pavunia  major.  The  beautiful  little  green  tree-frog 
was  also  abundant. 

May  23rd.  In  the  afternoon  we  left  for  the  village  of 
Obrez,  about  thirty  miles  S.W.  of  Semlin.  Our  route  lay 
via  Dobanovci.  On  arriving  at  the  common  just  out  of 
Semlin,  we  attempted  to  shoot  a  specimen  of  Spermophilus 
citellus,  but  were  completely  nonplussed ;  for  the  little 
creatures,  on  seeing  us^  immediately  made  for  their  burrows, 
which  are  bored  perpendicularly  into  the  ground,  and  here 
they  stood  and  allowed  us  to  take  a  sitting  shot  at  twenty  or 
thirty  yards,  but  always  dived  into  their  holes  to  all  appearance 
untouched.  After  half-a-dozen  attempts  we  desisted,  as  car- 
tridges were  not  obtainable  thereabouts.  Blue-headed  Wag- 
tails were  common^  but  kept  annoyingly  near  a  herd  of  white 
oxen,  thus  preventing  our  getting  specimens.  On  the 
marsh-meadows,  near  the  village  of  Pijavicar,  we  saw  a  few 
Whinchats,  all  of  which  appeared  to  be  much  lighter  in  colour 
than  our  English  bird ;  one  of  these  we  obtained,  and  found 
it  had  only  the  throat  and  fore  neck  pale  rufous,  the  breast 
and  abdomen  being  pure  white.  In  the  marsh  here  we  found 
a  nest  of  the  Sedge-Warbler.  We  observed  little  else  of 
interest  during  the  day,  and  passed  the  night  in  a  peasant's 
house  at  Petrovcic. 

May  24th.  We  were  en  route  a  little  after  3  a.m.  The 
face  of  the  country  between  this  village  and  that  of  Asanja 
was  much  more  diversified  than  any  we  had  hitherto  passed 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  131 

through^  being  a  succession  of  woodland,  coppice,  marsh,  and 
meadow.  Hundreds  of  Herodii  were  passing  overhead, 
including  a  party  of  Spoonbills,  which  our  Slav  driver 
informed  us  were  locally  known  by  a  name  equivalent  to 
"  Spoon-Geese/^  In  a  marshy  meadow  we  came  across  some 
two  hundred  Glossy  Ibises  feeding ;  but  they  only  permitted 
us  to  approach  within  about  eighty  yards,  and  then  took 
flight :  our  driver  termed  them  "  Black  Snipe/^  From  Asanja 
our  route  for  some  miles  was  along  a  narrow  path  through 
an  oak-forest,  almost  every  tree  of  which  was  affected  by 
mistletoe.  Eagles  were  numerous,  but  only  a  momentary 
glimpse  was  caught  of  them  between  the  trees.  On  emerging 
from  the  wood,  we  skirted  the  northern  end  of  the  Obedska 
Bara,  which  is  here  three  quarters  of  a  mile  in  width  and 
much  overgrown  with  reeds  and  sallows.  We  arrived  at 
Obrez  about  noon,  and  found  it  a  most  miserable  village. 
More  than  half  of  its  turf-built  houses  were  in  ruins,  and 
their  dilapidated  chimneys  afforded  suitable  sites  for  the 
numerous  nests  of  the  White  Stork.  After  luncheon,  in  the 
shape  of  beer,  black  bread,  and  a  kind  of  sour  cream-cheese 
made  from  sheep^s  milk,  we  accompanied  a  jager  to  the 
wood  and  marsh  on  the  north  side  of  the  village.  In  the 
wood  was  a  nest  of  either  the  White-tailed  or  the  Imperial 
Eagle  (for  both  species  were  seen  in  the  vicinity) — an 
immense  structure,  quite  ninety  feet  from  the  ground,  in  a 
gigantic  oak  of  such  dimensions  that  climbing  was  entirely 
out  of  the  question.  Other  birds  were  scarce,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker,  which  was  abundant. 
The  marsh  was  some  miles  in  length,  and  here  margined  on 
both  sides  by  forest,  rendering  it  particularly  secluded.  A 
pair  of  Imperial  Eagles  occupied  posts  on  a  couple  of  dead 
trees  close  by ;  above  soared  a  White-tailed  Eagle,  and  over 
the  marsh  several  Marsh- Harriers,  Black  Terns,  and  one  or 
two  White- winged  Black  Terns  were  hovering ;  while  from 
the  reeds  there  arose  several  White-eyed  Ducks,  Pygmy 
Cormorants,  and  Squacco  Herons.  On  entering  the  m.arsh 
with  our  wading-boots  (which  were  absolutely  indispensable, 
owing  to  the  prodigious  numbers  of  leeches)  we  found  that, 


132  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

in  addition  to  the  reed-beds  and  sallow-brakes,  tussocks  of 
sedge  {Cladmm  mariscus)  were  numerously  interspersed. 
The  water  was  not  deep,  and  in  most  parts  under  three  feet. 
A  few  hours'"  hai'd  work  produced  a  nest  of  the  Little  Crake 
and  several  of  White-ej^ed  Duck,  Mallard,  and  Coot,  The 
nest  of  the  Crake  was  on  a  sedge-tussock  about  six  inches 
above  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  occupied,  not  the  centre, 
but  the  side  of  the  tussock  ;  it  was  a  depression,  amply  lined 
with  short  broad  pieces  of  reed-blade,  and  contained  seven 
eggs.  The  nests  of  the  Ducks  were  likewise  on  the  tussocks. 
Among  the  reed-beds  a  species  of  water-snake  was  numerous, 
and  when  disturbed  glided  under  water.  The  marsh-tortoise 
{Kmys  europcea)  was  also  not  uncommon.  In  the  evening  we 
set  out  for  Kupinovo,  not  caring  to  remain  the  night  in  the 
wretched  village  of  Obrez. 

May  25th.     In  the  morning  we  made  a  visit  of  inspection 

to  the  "  bara,^'  which,  it  may  be  well  here  to  remark,  is 

a  horseshoe- shaped  marsh,  about  ten  miles  in  length  and 

half  a  mile  in  width.     It  has  evidently  been  at  one  time 

the  northern  bend  of  the  river  Save,  which  at  this  point 

now  takes  a  similar  curve  to  the  south.     Kupinovo  is  at  the 

southern  extremity  of  the  eastern  arm,  so  to  sjjeak,  of  the 

horseshoe.     The  surface  of  the  "bara,^^  with  the  exception  of 

a  strip  of  open  water  along  the  margin,  is  a  mass  of  reed-beds 

and  sallow -brakes  ;  and  although  the  water  is  very  deep,  yet 

this  marsh  is  fast   getting  choked  with  vegetation,  and  in 

course  of  time  will  doubtless  become  quite  grown  up.     We 

found  the  great   colony  of   Herons   about  a  mile  north  of 

the  village  and  where  the  sallow-brake  was  densest.     This 

breeding-station  occupied  a  few  hundred  square  yards  in  the 

centre  of  the  "  bara,"  and  presented  a  most  interesting  sight. 

Seated  on  the  bushes  were  hundreds  of  Sqiiacco  Herons,  Little 

Egrets,  Night- Herons,  Glossy  Ibises,  Pygmy  Cormorants,  and 

many  Common  Herons ;  while  in  the  centre,  in  an  exclusive 

group,  were  fifty  or  sixty  Spoonbills.     Many  other  individuals 

of  these  species  were  busily  engaged  in  breaking  twigs  and 

conveying  them  to  their  nests.     Every  now  and  then  a  panic 

fccemed  suddenly  to  seize  this  vast  assemblage,  and  then  there 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  133 

arose  many  thousands  of  birds  hitherto  hidden,  most  of 
which  soon  settled  down  and  were  again  lost  to  sight,  and 
things  remained  as  before.  Marsh -Harriers  were  extremely 
abundant,  and  six  or  eight  were  seen  on  the  wing  at  once. 
White-eyed  Ducks,  Black  Terns,  and  Mallards  occasionally 
rose  j  Crested  Grebes  and  Coots  floated  lazily  on  the  open 
water ;  White  Wagtails  ran  nimbly  on  the  margin  at  o^^r 
feet ;  Great  Reed- Warblers  sent  forth  their  vigorous  but  un- 
musical notes  from  the  reeds  ;  while  overhead  we  observed,  as 
we  reclined  on  the  bank,  a  pair  of  Black  Storks,  an  Imperial 
and  a  Booted  Eagle.  Such  was  our  introduction  to  the  bird- 
life  on  the  Obedska  '^bara/^  In  the  afternoon  a  peasant 
brought  a  fine  dark  form  of  the  Barn-Owl,  in  which  the  under- 
parts  were  rich  orange-brown,  the  upper  parts  chiefly  dark 
bluish  grey. 

A  Government  official  arrived  from  Semlin,  with  our 
anxiously  awaited  permit.  In  the  evening  we  made  an 
attempt  to  enter  the  "  bara "  in  a  flat-bottomed  boat ;  but, 
after  a  resolute  tussle,  we  were  compelled  to  desist,  and  to 
admit  that  an  entrance  direct  was  not  to  be  forced.  We 
made  arrangements  for  the  boatmen  to  be  in  readiness  at 
3  A.M.,  in  the  hope  that  by  an  early  start  the  intense  heat  of 
the  later  morning  might  be  avoided. 

May  26th.  For  some  reason  or  other  our  boatmen  were 
full  of  excuses,  and  it  was  only  by  dint  of  considerable  pres- 
sure that  the  boat  was  forthcoming  after  a  most  annoying 
delay.  At  last  we  were  afloat,  with  our  two  Slav  boatmen 
occupying  the  stern,  from  which  they  plied  their  short- 
handled  paddles.  Our  plan  was  to  attempt  to  enter  the 
colony  by  approaching  from  the  middle  of  the  "  bara."''  To 
do  this,  we  started  about  a  mile  below  the  colony;  and  for 
some  time  all  went  well,  as  we  passed  rapidly  up  an  open  lane 
between  reed-beds,  of  which  the  surface  was  covered  with  the 
beautiful  flowers  and  leaves  of  the  white  water-lily.  After- 
wards several  reed-beds  were  penetrated,  from  which  many 
White-eyed  Ducks,  several  Pochards,  and  a  pair  of  Gadwalls 
were  disturbed ;  but  difficulties  increased,  and  after  two 
houi's  we  were  compelled  to  retire  to  the  margin  and  com- 


134  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

mence  anew.  Paddling  mucli  nearer  to  the  desired  goal,  we 
again  essaj^ed  to  enter ;  and  after  fighting  our  way  through 
belts  of  sallows  and  reed-beds,  over  masses  of  floating  vege- 
table matter  and  tussocks  of  sedge,  and  across  open  spaces 
thickly  carpeted  with  that  interesting  aquatic  plant  Stratiotes 
aloides,  we  at  last  approached  the  outer  fringe  and  caught 
glimpses  of  the  blue  eggs  of  the  Ibis.  Short  work  was  made 
of  the  remaining  barriers,  and  we  were  soon  in  the  midst  of 
an  almost  indescribable  scene.  On  every  side  arose  a  vast 
body  of  birds,  the  beating  of  their  pinions  and  their  harsh 
notes  producing  quite  a  deafening  sound;  and  soon  the 
whole  colony,  estimated  at  30,000,  was  on  the  wing,  their 
confused  flight  resembling  the  gyrations  of  a  swarm  of  bees. 
After  a  short  interval  they  grew  somewhat  accustomed  to 
our  presence,  and  perched  on  the  surrounding  bushes,  so 
close  that  the  red  eye  of  the  Night-Heron  and  the  yellow 
patches  between  the  toes  of  the  Little  Egret  were  plainly  to 
be  seen,  while  they  swayed  about  uncomfortably  on  the  top- 
most twigs  of  the  sallows  along  with  the  Glossy  Ibis,  Pygmy 
Cormorant,  Common  Heron,  and  Spoonbill.  Around  us  were 
the  nests  and  eggs  of  all  these  species  save  the  Spoonbill. 
Those  of  the  Ibis  were  in  every  instance  on  the  surface  of  the 
w  ater,  or  but  very  little  above  it,  and  w  ere  in  the  utmost  pro- 
fusion. The  Night-Herons  had  their  nests  a  few  feet  above  the 
water,  as  had  also  the  Squaccos  and  Little  Egrets,  though 
those  of  the  latter  were  sometimes  placed  just  above  the  sur- 
face. The  structures  of  the  Common  Herons  and  Pygmy  Cor- 
morants were,  as  a  rule,  among  the  higher  branches.  In  order 
to  give  some  idea  of  the  profusion  in  which  these  nests  were,  it 
is  only  necessary  to  say  that  in  one  bush  wei-e  noted  one  nest 
of  Common  Heron,  two  of  Pygmy  Cormorant,  three  of  Night- 
Heron,  two  of  Little  Egret,  one  of  Squacco,  and  three  of 
Glossv  Ibis.  Nor  was  this  a  singular  instance,  for  most  of 
the  trees  were  equally  laden.  The  nests  of  all  these  species 
were  very  similar  in  structure  and  materials,  those  of  the 
Night-  and  Squacco  Herons  being  composed  entirely  of 
sticks,  the  lining  of  those  of  the  former  species  being  ar- 
ranged to  radiate  from  the  centre.     The  nests  of  the  Pygmy 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  135 

Cormorant  consisted  of  sticks  lined  with  finer  sticks  and 
roots  ;  while  sticks  and  a  few  reeds  formed  those  of  the  Little 
Egret  and  the  Glossy  Ibis.  The  nests  of  the  Egret  and  the 
Squacco  Avere  seldom  to  be  seen  in  juxtaposition^  probably 
on  account  of  the  pugnacious  temperament  of  the  latter. 
We  had  some  trouble  to  get  at  the  nests  of  the  select  party 
of  Spoonbills,  and  had  to  push  our  boat  over  nests  of 
Glossy  Ibis,  which  it  was  impossible  even  with  the  greatest 
care  to  avoid.  The  nests  of  the  Spoonbills  were  immense 
structures  of  sticks  and  dead  reeds ;  some  were  only  just  above 
the  water,  while  others  were  as  much  as  four  feet  from  the 
surface.  When  at  the  nests  of  this  species  a  solitary 
individual  oPthe  White  Heron  was  observed,  the  only  one 
seen  by  us  in  Slavonia.  It  was  rather  surprising  to  find 
fresh  eggs  of  the  Common  Heron  and  the  Spoonbill  at  this 
date ;  which  may  perhaps  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that 
the  Herons  are  summer  visitors  only  to  this  region;  and 
probably  all  arrive  much  at  the  same  time,  the  winter,  I 
suspect,  being  too  severe  even  for  the  former,  which  probably 
arrives  somewhat  earlier  than  the  rest,  as  some  few  nests 
contained  very  young  birds.  The  return  journey  was  under- 
taken with  light  hearts  after  our  success^  and  we  reached 
Kupinovo  at  3  p.m.,  finding  on  our  way  a  newly  hatched 
young  of  the  Little  Crake  among  some  sedge,  to  which  our 
attention  was  drawn  by  the  loud  clear  note  of  the  old  bird. 
This  little  creature  was  glossy  black  with  a  beautiful  dark 
green  cast,  and  had  bluish-grey  legs. 

The  next  two  or  three  days  were  chiefly  devoted  to  skinning 
birds  and  blowing  eggs.  On  the  28th  a  native  brought  a  nest 
containing  a  single  egg  of  the  Penduline  Titmouse  which  he 
had  cut  from  the  slender  twigs  of  a  sallow.  In  the  evening 
of  the  same  day  we  added  a  nest  and  eggs  of  the  Golden 
Oriole  to  our  collection. 

May  29th.  Count  Samuel  Talacki,  a  Hungarian  nobleman, 
on  a  shooting-expedition  on  the  Save,  shot  on  the  "bara^' 
a  fine  mature  male  of  Ardea  bubulcus,  which  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  examining  soon  after  it  was  killed.  Although  this 
species  has  not  been  hitherto  recorded  as  breeding  in  this 


136  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

part  of  Europe  (indeed  it  is  quite  a  stranger  in  Hungary, 
and  this  is  the  first  recorded  occuiTence  in  the  Hungarian 
States,  according  to  Dr.  Madarasz),  yet  I  think  there  can 
be  little  doubt  that  it  had  a  mate  and  nest  in  the  "  bara.^' 
On  this  day,  too,  we  saw  a  pair  of  fine  young  of  Kagle-Owls 
in  the  possession  of  a  peasant  in  the  village,  which  he 
had  taken  from  a  wood  in  the  Kupinsky  Kut,  a  locality 
about  ten  miles  S.E.  of  Kupinovo,  during  the  first  week  in 
May. 

May  30th.  Left  Kujiinovo  at  5  a.m.  in  a  cart  for  Obrez,  for 
another  day  in  the  marsh  there.  On  the  way  several  Hoopoes 
on  the  roadside  and  Booted  Eagles  on  dead  trees  in  the 
wood  were  observed.  The  marsh  reached  we  entered  under 
an  intensely  hot  sun,  and  found  the  temperature  of  the  reed- 
beds  somewhat  akin  to  that  of  an  oven.  On  the  tussocks  of 
sedge  nests  of  the  White-eyed  Duck  and  Mallard  were  nume- 
rous :  one  of  the  former  contained  fourteen  eggs  and  Avas 
margined  with  brownish-black  down,  having  greyish  tijis  at 
the  point  of  insertion.  A  nest  of  the  Water-llail  was  also 
found  in  a  similar  situation  ;  it  contained  ten  eggs  and  was  a 
depression  amply  lined  with  dry  reed-blades.  A  Sombre  Tit 
uttered  its  peculiar  notes  from  a  willow,  and  from  its  constant 
presence  we  presumed  it  had  a  nest  at  hand ;  but  this  we 
failed  to  find.  On  leaving  the  marsh  for  a  siesta  at  midday 
we  disturbed  an  l^agle,  which  we  took  for  a  Spotted  Eagle, 
which  flew  lazily  to  a  tree  and  allowed  us  to  pass  beneath, 
seeming  to  be  well  aware  that  there  was  not  a  gun  in  the 
party,  a  fact  accounted  for  by  reason  of  the  marsh  being  pre- 
served and  to  avoid  complications.  In  the  afternoon  we  again 
entered  the  marsh  and  found  the  nests  of  the  White-eyed 
Duck  almost  a  nuisance,  but  at  length  came  across  something 
good  in  the  shape  of  a  nest  oi Locustella  fluviatilis ,  from  which 
we  put  off  the  old  bird.  The  nest  was  a  deep  cup-shaped 
structure  composed  entirely  of  the  broad  dry  blades  of  reed, 
and  soon  fell  to  pieces  when  removed  from  the  centre  of 
the  tussock  of  sedge  in  which  it  was  buried,  under  the  dead 
growth  of  former  years  :  it  contained  five  fresh  eggs.  An 
attempt  was  then  made  to  reach  the  breeding-place  of  the 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  137 

Terns ;  but  after  sinking  over  the  tops  o£  our  wading-boots  we 
were  only  able  to  obtain  a  few  eggs  of  Black  Tern,  which  were 
in  large  nests  of  dead  and  wet  reed-stems  placed  on  floating 
masses  of  the  same.  The  breeding-place  of  the  White-winged 
Black  Tern  was  beyond  our  reach.  By  the  roadside^  on 
returning  to  Obrez,  a  small  party  of  Bee-eaters  was  seen.  In 
the  evening  we  returned  to  Kupinovo. 

May  31st.  In  the  morning  we  procured  a  few  eggs  of 
Black  Tern  and  a  nest  and  eggs  of  Great  Reed-Warbler  from 
the  bara,  and  while  so  doing  were  interested  in  watching  an 
Imperial  Eagle,  which  on  making  its  appearance  over  the 
village  was  immediately  bullied  by  a  Black  Kite  and  a  White 
Stork.  In  the  afternoon  a  visit  was  paid  to  the  large  wood 
between  the  eastern  and  western  arms  of  the  bara,  where  we 
found  a  nest  of  the  Black  Stork,  from  which  the  old  bird  flew 
on  our  aj)proach.  The  nest  was  placed  on  a  large  branch 
about  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  but  the  immense  girth  of 
the  tree  precluded  any  attempt  at  climbing.  A  nest  of  the 
Penduline  Tit,  ready  for  eggs,  was  suspended  among  the 
outer  twigs  of  a  pollard  poplar,  and,  like  the  one  already 
obtained,  was  formed  entirely  of  the  down  from  the  sallow- 
catkin,  having  the  appearance  of  silky  curled  wool,  and 
through  this  were  interlaced  a  few  dry  grasses  as  if  to  lend 
additional  strength.  Both  the  nests  of  this  bird  which  we 
obtained  had  two  holes,  one  in  front,  the  other  behind. 
Quite  low  down  in  a  decayed  oak  was  a  nest-hole  and  young 
of  the  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker. 

June  1st.  At  5  a.m.  we  bade  farewell  to  Kupinovo,  tra- 
velling by  Progar,  Becmen,  and  Dobanovci  to  Semlin.  At 
first  our  road  lay  along  the  banks  of  the  Save,  which  were  in 
many  places  wooded ;  and  here  we  observed  the  Hobby,  a  pair 
of  Bee-eaters,  Green  Woodpeckers,  and  Goldfinches.  On 
leaving  the  river  we  passed  several  small  marshes,  and  noted 
the  Purple  Heron  and  Common  Tern,  and,  nearer  Dobanovci, 
the  Wheatear  and  Blue-headed  Wagtail  and  several  Eagles. 
When  between  Becmen  and  Dobanovci  we  had  a  new  experi- 
ence in  being  followed  for  some  miles  by  a  wolf,  attracted  no 
doubt  by  a  foal  of  tender  age  which  trotted  by  the  side  of 


138  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field- Notes 

its  dam,  which  was  harnessed  to  our  cart.  Wolves  are  very 
numerous  in  this  district,  and  perhaps  in  Slavonia  generally, 
and  since  our  visit  to  Dobanovci  a  party  beat  the  wood  and 
shot  seven.  As  we  entered  Dobanovci  no  less  than  nine 
White  Storks  were  soaring  over  the  village  at  a  great  height, 
and  one  of  these  descended  rapidly  at  an  angle  of  60°  to  a 
nest  close  to  us,  using  its  wings  as  a  parachute  by  keeping 
them  parallel  with  its  legs,  which  were  outstretched  in  the 
direction  of  the  descent ;  the  neck  and  head  were  lowered 
in  the  same  direction,  and  altogether  it  presented  a  most 
remarkable  aj)pearance.  During  our  trip  we  had  abundant 
opportunity  for  studying  the  habits  of  this  species  and 
considered  it  rather  an  uninteresting  bird  than  otherwise. 
As  a  rule,  one  of  the  parents  was  generally  to  be  seen  standing 
on  the  side  of  the  nest  in  a  most  lethargic  attitude.  Some- 
times when  both  were  at  the  nest  one  of  them  (perhaps  the 
male)  made  a  loud  hollow  snapping  noise,  and  went  through 
the  pantomimic  performance,  while  so  doing,  of  throwing 
back  the  neck  and  placing  the  crown  of  the  head  on  the  lower 
portion  of  the  back.  But  to  return.  After  some  breakfast 
we  took  a  small  light  punt  into  the  marsh,  but  found  the 
reed-beds  so  dense  that  it  was  quite  impossible  to  penetrate 
them  for  any  distance,  and  after  some  hard  work  were  com- 
pelled to  desist  after  having  found  only  a  few  nests  of  the 
Great  Reed- Warbler  and  one  of  the  Moorhen.  This  was  a 
disappointment,  as  the  Little  Bittern  was  not  uncommon  and 
probably  nesting.  Squacco  Herons,  Night-Herons,  and 
White- eyed  Ducks  were  numerous,  and  we  observed  also  a 
few  Common  Terns  and  a  solitary  Penduline  Tit,  while  in  a 
vineyard  on  the  margin  was  shot  a  male  Stonechat ;  the 
latter  an  interesting  type,  having  the  head  and  back  ex- 
tremely black,  the  bay  confined  to  a  patch  on  fore  neck,  and 
the  breast  and  abdomen  silky  white.  In  this  marsh  abounded 
huge  specimens  of  Lymneea  stagnalis  and  Planorbis  corneus, 
and  Paludina  hungarica  was  not  uncommon  ;  on  the  road  from 
Dobanovci  to  Semlin  we  found  eight  nests  of  Lesser  Grey 
Shrikes  in  the  acacias ;  they  were  as  large  as  those  of  a 
Blackbii'd,  and  were  chiefly  composed  of  a  large  species  of 


from  Slavo7iia  and  Hungary.  139 

chickweedj  freshly  plucked  feathers,  and   wool;  some  con- 
tained six  egg's.     Arrived  at  Semlin  at  6  p.m. 

June  2nd.  Arose  at  4  a.m.  and  crossed  to  Belgrade, 
whence  we  took  the  steamer  for  Orsova ;  owing  to  the 
amount  of  flood,  the  river  was  in  many  places  two  or  three 
miles  in  width.  The  country  was  flat  on  the  Hungarian 
bank,  hilly  on  the  Servian  ;  and  in  many  parts  both  banks 
are  well  wooded.  The  birds  observed  were  a  solitary  Gull- 
billed  Tern,  near  Semendria,  and  many  White-tailed  Eagles, 
Black  Kites,  and  Black  Terns.  At  Bazias  the  river  enters 
the  mountains,  and  the  scenery  becomes  extremely  fine,  cul- 
minating in  the  indescribable  Kasan  Pass,  where  the  mighty 
river  runs  between  precipitous  cliff's,  in  many  places  2000  feet 
in  height,  and  in  the  narrowest  part  in  a  channel  only  180 
yards  in  width.  Near  the  base  of  these  cliffs  on  each  side  a 
road  has  been  hewn  out  of  the  solid  rock — the  one  on  the 
right  bank  completed  by  Trajan  in  a.d.  103,  and  that  on 
the  left  bank  is  a  carriage-road  of  modern  date.  In  this  pass 
the  Griffon  Vulture  appeared  to  be  not  uncommon,  and  several 
were  seen  on  the  wing  or  seated  on  the  ledges  far  above. 
A  pair  of  Ruddy  Sheldrake,  disturbed  by  the  steamer,  flew 
close  by  us.  We  arrived  at  Orsova  at  4  p.m.  and  took  a 
carriage  to  Turn  Severin,  in  Roumania,  in  order  to  see  the 
celebrated  Iron  Gate.  Eagles  were  very  numerous  over  the 
forest-clad  mountains  of  this  part  of  Wallachia,  and  the 
Whinchat,  Red-backed  Shrike,  White  Wagtail,  and,  I  think, 
Rock-Thrush  were  noted.  We  had  now  arrived  at  our 
journey^s  end  and  the  beginning  of  our  return ;  and  it  is 
enough  to  say  that  after  a  few  days  spent  in  the  beautiful 
city  of  Pesth,  we  arrived  home  on  the  8th  of  June. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  that  the  following  list 
was  compiled  in  the  extreme  S.E.  corner  of  Slavonia,  a  dis- 
trict forming  a  narrow  triangle  of  which  Semlin  is  the  apex, 
the  Save  the  southern  boundary,  a  line  from  Kupinovo  to 
Obrez  the  western,  and  one  from  Obrez  through  Dobanovci 
to  Semlin  the  northern.  This  tract  of  country  is  flat  or 
gently  undulating,  about  200  feet  above  sea-level,  and  totally 


140  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

devoid  of  marked  physical  features.  About  Semlin  much  of 
it  is  rich  agricultural  land,  further  west  it  is  chiefly  clothed 
with  extensive  forests  of  old  timber,  mostly  oak,  and  with 
numerous  marshes  of  greater  or  less  extent.  A  few  species 
are  added  which  were  observed  on  the  Danube  betAveen  tlie 
confluences  of  the  Drave  and  Save,  where  the  river  forms  the 
N.E.  boundary  of  the  province.  Further  research,  and 
especially  an  investigation  of  the  Fruska-Gora  mountains, 
lying  to  the  north-west  of  the  distiict  indicated,  and  attaining 
probably  a  height  of  between  2000  and  3000  feet,  would 
add  many  species  to  the  list,  for  the  influence  of  elevation  on 
the  avifauna  of  countries  possessing  similar  physical  cha- 
racters is  well  known. 

The  list  having  been  compiled  between  the  18th  of  May 
and  the  2nd  of  June,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  all  the  species 
noted  were  breeding  in  Slavonia. 

TuRDUs  Musicus,  Linn. 

We  never  saw  this  species,  nor  did  we  hear  its  song ;  but 
its  nest  and  eggs  were  found  in  several  of  the  woods. 

TuRDUS  MERULA,  Liuu. 

Did  not  appear  to  be  a  common  species.  Single  birds 
were  noted  at  Vukovar,  Dobanovci,  and  Kupinovo. 

SaXICOLA  (ENANTHE    (LiuU.). 

Very  local,  and  only  noted  on  some  poor  land  near  Semlin, 
Dobanovci,  and  Becmen. 

Fratincola  rubetra  (Linn.). 

Only  seen  in  the  marshy  meadows  near  Pijavicar,  and,  as 
stated,  was  of  a  lighter  type  than  ordinary  British  speci- 
mens, having  the  breast  and  abdomen  dull  white. 

Fratincola  rubicola  (Linn.). 

A  solitary  male  seen  and  obtained  in  a  vineyard  at  Doba- 
novci. An  interesting  specimen,  in  which  the  head  and  back 
are  intensely  black,  with  the  faintest  trace  of  the  rufous 
edging  to  the  feathers,  the  bay  of  the  underparts  is  con- 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  l^l 

fined  to  a  patch  on  the  fore  neck,  and  the  breast  and  abdo- 
men are  silky  white. 

Daulias  luscinia  (Linn.) . 

Extremely  abundant  everywhere.  I  am  not  certain  as  to 
whether  D.  philomela  occurs  in  Slavonia,  but  I  have  Hun- 
garian specimens  of  that  species  in  my  collection. 

Sylvia  cinerea,  Bechstein. 

Only  observed  in  the  coppices  about  Petrovcic. 

Sylvia  atricapilla  (Linn.). 

A  nest  and  eggs  obtained  in  the  woods  at  Dobanovci, 

Sylvia  hortensis  (Beclisteiu). 

A  nest  found  in  the  wood  at  Kupinovo,  on  which  the  bird 
was  seen. 

Sylvia  nisoria  (Bechstein). 

Common,  and  nesting  in  all  the  localities  visited. 

Hypolais  icterina  (Vieillot). 

A  solitary  individual  shot  in  the  wood  at  Dobanovci  on  the 
22nd  of  May.  Probably  this  is  the  southern  limit  of  its 
range  in  this  part  of  Europe  during  the  breeding-season. 

Acrocephalus  turdoides  (Meyer) , 

Extremely  abundant  and  breeding  in  all  the  marshes. 

Acrocephalus  phragmitis  (Bechstein). 
A  nest  and  eggs  found  in  the  marsh  at  Pijavicar,  and  a  few 
heard  near  Petrovcic.     Evidently  not  a  common  bird. 

Locustella  NiEviA  (Bodd.). 

Not  uncommon  in  the  marshes  at  Petrovcic  and  Kupinovo. 

Locustella  fluviatilis  (Wolf). 

Probably  abundant,  along  with  many  other  Sylviinse,  but 
only  detected  by  the  finding  of  its  nest  and  eggs  in  the  marsh 
at  Obrez  on  the  30th  of  May. 

ACREDULA  CAUDATA   (Linil.). 

Observed  in  the  woods  at  Dobanovci  and  Kupinovo. 

PaRUS  MAJOR. 

Common. 

SER.  v. VOL.  II.  M 


142  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

Parus  lugubris_,  Temm. 

Several  heard  and  seen  in  the  woods  at  Dobanovci.     One 
observed  at  Obrez. 

Parus  c^ruleus,  Linn. 
Common. 

-^GITHALUS  PENDULINUS    (Linn.). 

Two  nests  obtained  at  Knpinovo  and  a  bird  seen  at  Do- 
banovci. 

SiTTA  CM)ilA,  Wolf, 

Several  seen  in  the  woods  at  Knpinovo. 

MoTACiLLA  ALBA,  Linn. 

The  common  Wagtail  of  the  country. 

MoTACiLLA  FLAVA,  Linn. 

Local,  but  not  uncommon  about  Semlin  and  Becmen. 

Oriolus  galbula,  Linn. 
Extremely  common  everywhere. 

Lanius  minor,  Gmel. 

Common  :  numbers  nesting  in  the  roadside  trees  about  Do- 
banovci, and  seen  singly  or  in  pairs  at  all  the  places  visited. 

Lanius  collurio,  Linn. 
Very  common. 

HiRUNDO  RUSTICA,  LiuU. 

Very  common. 

Chelidon  urbica  (Linn.). 
Abundant. 

COTILE  RIPARIA   (LinU.). 

A  few  observed  at  Obrez. 

Certhia  familiaris  (Linn.). 

One  or  two  observed  in  the  woods  at  Dobanovci. 

Carduelis  elegans,  Steph. 

Not  numerous,  but  observed  singly  in  several  localities, 

LiGURINUS  CHLORIS    (LiuU.)  . 

Extremely  common. 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  143 

COCCOTHRAUSTES  VULGARIS^  Pall. 

Very  common  in  all  localities.  In  the  wood  at  Dobanovci 
it  was  seen  in  parties  of  five  or  six  on  22nd  of  May. 

Passer  domesticus  (Linn.). 
Very  common. 

Passer  montanus  (Linn.). 

The  commonest  bird  in  Slavonia^  and  simply  ubiquitous, 
appearing  to  be  equally  at  borne  whether  in  the  forests, 
marshes,  villages,  or  on  the  roadsides. 

Fringilla  ciELEBS,  Linn.  "■ 

Extremely  abundant. 

Emberiza  miliaria,  Linn. 
Very  common. 

Emberiza  citrinella,  Linn. 

Observed  in  the  woods  only,  where  several  nests  were 
found.     Kot  uncommon. 

Emberiza  sch(emclus,  Linn. 

I  am  morally  certain  I  saw  a  pair  on  the  Obedska  Bara. 
A  rare  bird  so  far  south  during  the  breeding-season. 

StuRxNTUs  vulgaris,  Linn. 

Local ;  for  it  was  only  observed  about  Kupinovo,  where  it 
was  common. 

Garrulus  glandarius  (Linn.). 
Common. 

Pica  rustica  (Scop.). 

Common,  nesting  in  the  sallows  of  the  "  bara  "  and  in  the 
trees  in  the  village  streets. 

CoRvus  monedula,  Linn. 

Common  at  Peterwardein ;  a  few  were  observed  nesting  in 
the  church-steeples  at  Dobanovci  and  Kupinovo. 

CoRVUs  coRNix,  Linn. 

Very  common  and  particularly  tame,  nesting  in  trees  on 
the  roadside  close  to  the  villages. 

M  2 


144  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

CoRVus  FRUGiLEGUS,  Linn. 

Common,  but  local.  Several  large  rookeries  were  ob- 
served. 

CoRVUs  coRAX,  Linn. 
Observed  in  all  the  woods. 

Alauda  arvensis,  Linn. 
Common. 

Alauda  cristata,  Linn. 

Common  on  the  roadside,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of 
arable  land. 

Cypselus  apus  (Linn.). 
Very  common. 

Dendrocopus  major  (Linn.). 
Extremely  common  in  all  the  woods. 

Gecinus  viRinis  (Linn.). 

Observed  on  the  roadside  trees  about  Kupinovo  and 
Becmen. 

Iynx  torquilla,  Linn. 

Two  heard,  in  the  wood  at  Dobanovci. 

CoRACiAs  garrula,  Linn. 

Very  common;  observed  in  the  woodlands  and  trees  by 
the  roadside. 

Merops  apiaster,  Linn. 

A  small  party  seen  at  Obrez  on  the  30th  of  May,  and 
a  pair  at  Progar  on  the  1st  of  June. 

Upupa  epops,  Linn. 

Several  observed  on  the  wooded  margin  of  the  bara,  near 
Kupinovo. 

CucuLUs  CANORUS,  Linn. 

Very  common,  especially  in  the  woods. 

Strix  flammea,  Linn. 

One  seen  at  Petrovcic,  and  a  fine  dark  variety  procured  at 
Kupinovo,  in  which  the  underparts  are  orange-brown,  the 
upper  greyish  blue. 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  145 

Bubo  ignavus,  Forst. 

A  pair  of*  young  birds  seen^  which  had  been  taken  from  a 
nest  near  Kupinovo  early  in  May. 

Gyps  fulvus  (Gmel.). 

A  pair  shot  on  the  Save,  above  Kupinovo,  by  Count 
Talacki,  on  the  25th  of  May. 

Circus  ^ruginosus  (Linn.). 

Common  on  all  the  marshes,  and  particularly  abundant  on 
the  Obedska  Bara  and  at  Obrez. 

BuTEo  VULGARIS,  Leach. 
'Common  in  the  woods. 

Aquila  pennata  (Gmel.). 

Common  about  Kupinovo  and  Obrez. 

Aquila  clanga.  Pall.  ? 
'   I  am  not  quite  certain  about  this  species ;  but  there  was 
certainly  another  Aquila  observed  in  addition  to  A.  pennata 
and  A.  heliaca. 

Aquila  heliaca,  Savigny. 
Common,  and  generally  distributed. 

Haliaetus  albicilla  (Linn.). 

Common  on  the  wooded  banks  of  the  Danube  and  Save, 
and  several  observed  on  the  Obedska  Bara  and  on  the  marsh 
at  Obrez. 

Milvus  migrans  (Bodd.). 

The  common  bird  of  prey  of  the  country,  and  to  be  seen 
not  only  in  the  villages  but  even  in  the  town  of  Semlin. 

Falco  sacer,  Gmel. 

Observed  on  two  occasions,  at  Obrez  and  at  Dobanovci. 

Falco  subbuteo,  Linn. 
One  seen  at  Progar. 

TiNNUNCULUs  alaudarius  (Gmel.). 
Fairly  common. 

Phalacrocorax  carbo  (Linn.). 
Several  seen  on  the  Danube  at  Dalya. 


146  Mr.  W.  E.  Clarke,  Field-Notes 

Phalacrocorax  pygm^.us,  Pall. 

Nesting  very  abundantly  in  the  Obedska  Bara.  A  few 
seen  at  Obrez. 

Ardea  cinerea,  Linn. 

Common.  Many  nesting  in  the  Obedska  Bara.  One  or 
two  seen  at  Dobanovci. 

Ardea  purpurea,  Linn. 

Not  common,  several  seen  on  the  Obedska  Bara  and  at 
Dobanovci  and  Becmen, 

Ardea  alba,  Linn. 

A  single  bird  observed  on  the  Obedska  Bara,  where  it  was 
once  common ;  but  persecution  for  the  sake  of  its  plumes  has 
all  but  banished  it. 

Ardea  garzetta,  Linn. 

Nesting  very  abundantly  in  the  Obedska  Bara.  A  few 
seen  at  Dobanovci. 

Ardea  bubulcus,  Audouin. 

An  old  male  shot  on  the  Obedska  Bara  on  the  29th  of  May, 
where  it  no  doubt  had  a  mate.  The  first  known  occurrence 
in  Hungary  or  her  provinces. 

Ardea  ballotdes.  Scop. 

The  commonest  and  tamest  of  the  Herons.  Extremely 
abundant,  nesting  on  the  Obedska  Bara  and  common  at  Do- 
banovci. 

Ardetta  minuta  (Linn.). 

Observed  only  in  the  marsh  at  Dobanovci,  where  it  was 
not  uncommon. 

Nycticorax  griseus  (Linn.). 

Nesting  very  abundantly  on  the  Obedska  Bara.  A  few  at 
Dobanovci. 

ClCONIA  ALBA,  BccllSt. 

Very  common,  and  nesting  in  all  the  villages. 


from  Slavonia  and  Hungary.  147 

CicoNiA  NiGRA^  Linn. 

Not  common,  A  pair  seen  on  the  Danube  at  Palanka  and 
several  at  Kupinovo,  where  they  were  nesting  in  a  wood  on 
the  west  side  of  the  ''  hoxa." 

Platalea  leucorodia,  Linn. 

A  large  party  breeding  on  the  Obedska  Bara :  not  seen 
elsewhere. 

Plegadis  falcinellus  (Linn.). 

Nesting  in  great  abundance  on  the  Obedska  Bara.  Not 
seen  elsewhere. 

Anas  boscas,  Linn. 

Common,  nesting  in  all  the  marshes. 

Chaulelasmus  streperus  (Linn.). 

A  pair  observed  on  the  Obedska  Bara  on  the  28th  of  May. 

FuLiGULA  FERiNA  (Linn.). 

Several  observed  on  the  Obedska  Bara,  where  they  were 
doubtless  breeding. 

Nyroca  eerrxjginea  (Gmel.). 

By  far  the  commonest  Duck  of  the  country.  Breeds  in  all 
the  marshes,  and  in  great  abundance  in  the  Obedska  Bara 
and  the  marsh  at  Obrez. 

TuRTUR  COMMUNIS,  Sclby. 
Very  abundant. 

Perdix  cinerea,  Latham. 
A  pair  seen  near  Kupinovo. 

CoTURNix  communis,  Bonnat. 
Extremely  abundant. 

Rallus  aquattcus,  Linn. 

A  nest  with  ten  eggs  found  in  the  marsh  at  Obrez  on  the 
30th  of  May. 

PORZANA  PARVA  (Scop.). 

Probably  common.  A  nest  with  seven  eggs  taken  in  the 
Obrez  marsh  on  the  24th  of  May;  and  a  young  in  down 


148  Field-Notes  from  S/avonia  ayid  Hungai-y . 

captured  in  the  Obedska  Bara  on  the  26th  of  May,  whose 
plumage  was  glossy  black  with  a  beautiful  dark  green  cast ; 
legs  bluish  grey. 

Crex  pratensis,  Bechst. 

Heard  commonly  around  Kupinovo  and  Petrovcic. 

Gallinula  chloropus  (Linn.). 

Not  seen,  but  two  nests  and  eggs  found. 

FULICA  ATRA,   LiuU. 

Very  common  in  the  Obedska  Bara  and  at  Obrez. 

Vanellus  vulgaris  (Bechst.). 

Appeared  to  be  uncommon.     Only  a  very  few  were  seen 
on  the  margins  of  the  Obedska  Bara. 

Tringoides  hypoleucos  (Linn.). 

A  few  observed  on  the  Danube,  just  below  the  confluence 
of  the  Urave,  on  the  18th  of  May. 

Sterna  fluviatilis,  Naura. 

Not  at  all  common.     One  or  two  seen  at  Becmen  and 
Dobanovci 

Hydrochelidon  leucoptera  (Schinz). 
Several  seen  on  the  marsh  at  Obrez. 

Hydrochelidon  nigra  (Linn.). 

Extremely  common  on  the  Danube  and  on  all  the  marshes. 

PoDicEPs  CRiSTATUS  (Linu.). 

Common  on  the  Obedska  Bara  and  at  Dobanovci. 

PoDICEPS  GRISEIGENA  (Bodd.). 

A  pair  observed  on  the  Obedska  Bara. 


On  the  Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  149 

XIV. — A  Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse. — 
Part  IV.  Quiscalinae.  By  P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D., 
F.R.S. 

(Plate  V.) 

[Continued  from  p.  27,  and  concluded.] 

To  the  last  subfamily  of  the  Icteridie,  the  Quiscalinse,  which 
we  now  come  to,  I  refer,  for  the  present,  the  following  eight 
genera : — 

I.  Lampropsar,  p.  149.  v.  Macragelaus,  p.  162. 

II.  Scolecophagus,  150.  vi.  Hypopyrrhus ,  p.  163. 

III.  Dives,  p.  151.  VII.  Aphobus,  p.  163. 

IV.  Qidscalus,  p.  153.  vm.   Cassidiw,  p.  164. 

Genus  I.  Lampropsar. 

Lampropsar,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.p.  194  (1851)  :  type  L.  tana- 

grhius. 
Potamopsar,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.   141    (1863)  :    type  L.  tana- 

grinus. 

1.  Lampropsar  tanagrinus. 

Icterus  tanagrinus,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  67,  pi.  64.  f,  1. 
Lampropsar  tanagrinus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i*  p.  194;  Scl.  et 
Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Lampropsar  guianensis.  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guian.  iii.  p.  682, 
et  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  194;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  167 
(Venezuela),  et  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Quiscalus  {Fotamopsar)  minor,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141. 
Potamopsar  minor,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  415. 
Fotamopsar  tanagrinus.  Cab.  Mus.   Hein.  i.  p.  194;  Pel- 
zeln,  Orn.  Bras.  p.  200;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1873,  p.  267 
(Ucayali) . 

Quiscalus,  sp.,  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  p.  182. 
Nigerrimus  unicolor ;  plumis  frontalibus  brevibus  exstanti- 
bus ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  8"0,  alse  4'5, 
caudae  rotundatse  rectr.  ext.  3*2,  med.  4*1.  Fem.  Man 
similis,  sed  crassitie  minore :  long,  tota  7*5,  alse  4*0, 
caudse  rectr.  ext.  2*8,  med.  3'5. 


150  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Hab.  Guiana,  Venezuela  et  Amazonia. 

Mvs.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

I  liave  in  my  collection  a  female  example  of  this  bird  ob- 
tained by  Natterer  at  Barra  do  Eio  Negro  in  July  1833.  I 
have  taken  it  to  Berlin  and  compared  it  with  the  type  of 
L.  gaianensls.  As  Herr  v.  Pelzeln  had  identified  Natterer^s 
bird  by  actual  comparison  with  Spix's  /.  tanayrinus  [cf.  Orn. 
Bras.  p.  201) J  I  think  we  must  adopt  Spix^s  name  for  this 
species. 

In  my  American  Catalogue  I  registered  this  species  as 
Quiscalus  minor,  supposing  it  to  be  Icterus  minor,  Spix,  and 
made  it  the  type  of  a  new  subgenus,  "  Potamopsar ,"  but  I 
now  consider  Icterus  minor,  Spix,  to  be  nothing  more  than 
Molothrus  bonariensis. 

This  form  of  the  Quiscalinse  seems  to  be  sufficiently  cha- 
racterized by  the  peculiar  structure  of  the  short  erect  frontal 
feathers.  Lampropsar  dives  and  L.  ivarcewiezi,  which  in  the 
'  Nomenclator  ^  (following  Cabanis)  we  arranged  in  this 
genus,  appear  to  go  better  by  themselves  and  nearer  the  true 
Quiscali. 

Genus  II.   Scolecophagus. 

Scolecophagus,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  Aves,  p.  491  (1831) :  type 

S.  ferrugineus. 
Euphagus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.   Sc.  Phil.   1806,  p.  413  :  type  S. 

cyanocephalas. 

Clavis  specierum. 
Eostro  longiore,  tenuiore:  pileo  dorso  CQiicolore.  .  .  .      {1)  fernicjineus, 
Rostro  breviore,  validiore :  pileo  purpureo  (^2)  cyanocejiliahiB, 

1.  Scolecophagus  ferrugineus. 

Oriolus  ferrugineus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  393. 

Gracula  ferruginea,  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  iii.  p.  41,  pi.  21.  f.  3. 

Scolecophagus  ferrugineus ,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  286; 
Baird,  B.N.Am,  p.  551  ;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  140;  Cassin, 
Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  412;  Baird,  Brewer,  et  Ridgw. 
N.  A.  B.  ii.  p.  203;  Blakiston,  Ibis,  1863,  p.  82  (Sas- 
katchewan) . 


species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  151 

ScoJecojjhagus  niger,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  423;  Cab.  Mus.  Hein. 
i.  p.  195. 

Niger  unicolor^  nitore  purpureo  ;  alis  et  cauda  seneo  lavatis, 
in  vestitu  autumnali  j)luniis  ferrugineo  marginatis  :  long, 
tota   80,    alae  4-6,   caudse  3"5.      Fern.   Plumbeo-nigra, 
crassitie  paulo  minore. 
Hab.  Eastern  States  of  N.  America  to  the  Missouri. 
Mus.  P.L.S.  et  S.-G. 

2.  ScOLECOrHAGUS  CYANOCEPHALUS. 

Psarocolius  cyanoce'phalus,  Wagl.  Isis,  1829,  p.  758. 

Scolecophagus  cyanoceplialus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  195  ; 
Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  552;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  140;  Cassin, 
Pr.  Ac.  Phil.  1866,  p.  412 ;  Baird,  Brew,  et  Bidgw.  N.  A.  B.  ii. 
p.  206;  Dresser,  Ibis,  1869,  p.  493  (Texas);  Sumichrast,Mem. 
Bost.  Soc.  N.  H.  vol.  i.  p.  553;  Blakiston,  Ibis,  1868,  p.  83 
(Saskatchewan). 

Scolecophagus  mexicanus ,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  302 ;  Bp. 
Cousp.  p.  423. 

Qidscalus  breweri,  Aud.  B.  Am.  vii.  p.  345,  pi.  492. 
Niger  seneo  lavatus  ,•  capite  undique  purpureo  nitente  :  long, 
tota  9"2,  alee  5*0,  caudse  4'0.     Fern.  Obscure  fusca ;  alis 
extlis,  dorso  postico  et  cauda  seneo  lavatis  ;  linea  sujoer- 
ciliari  obsoleta. 

Hab.  Western  and  Central  States  of  N.  America  and  south 
to  tableland  of  Mexica. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Genus  III.  Dives. 

Dives,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  413 :  type  D.  smni- 
chrasti. 

The  two  larger  species  assigned  to  Lampropsar  by  Cabanis 
appear  to  me  to  go  better  near  the  true  Quiscali,  to  which 
they  have  both  been  referred  by  other  authors.  Cassin  has 
placed  them  in  Scolecophagus  under  the  subgeneric  desig- 
nation Dives,  which  I  retain  as  a  genus  in  its  present  position, 
adding  thereto  the  so-called  Scolecophagus  atroviolaceus  of 
Cuba,  which  agrees  with  them  in  most  points  of  its  structure. 


152  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Clavis  specierum. 
^aeo-niger : 

major :  alls  longioribus (1)  sumichrasti. 

minor :  alis  brevioribus      (2)  warceioiezi. 

Purpureo-niger  :  alis  longioribus (3)  atroviulaceus. 

1.  Dives  sumichrasti. 

Lampropsar  dives,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  425  (1850) ;  Cab.  Mus. 
Hein.  i.  p.  194,  et  J.  f.  O.  1861,  p.  83. 

Quiscalus  sumichrasti,  De  Sauss.  Rev.  Zool.  1859,  p.  119; 
Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1859,  p.  365  (Jalapa),  p.  381  (Oaxaca), 
1864,  p.  175  (City  of  Mexico),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  140;  Scl.  et 
Salv.  Ibis,  1860,  p.  398  (Guatemala)  ;  Sumiclirast,  Mem. 
Bost.  S.  N.  H.  vol.  i.  p.  553  (Vera  Cruz). 

Scolecophagus  dives,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  413. 
Nigro-sericeus  unicolor ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota 
10*5,  alae  5*0,  caudoe  rectr.  med.  4<-7,  ext.  4'0.  Fern. 
Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie  paulo  minore. 

Hab.  Southern  Mexico,  Yucatan^  Belize,  and  Guatemala. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

2.  Dives  warcewiezi. 

Lampropsar  ivarcewiezi.  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1861,  p.  83;  Scl.  et 
Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38;   Sclater,  P.Z.  S.  1877,  p.  523  (Lima). 

Scolecophagus ?,  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1860,  p.  277  (Baba- 

lioyo) . 

Quiscalus  cequatorialis,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  140  (1862). 
Nigro-sericeus  unicolor ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota 
9"5,  alae  4'4,  caudre  4'5.     Fern.  Mari  similis,  sed  cras- 
sitie paulo  minore. 

Hab.  Western  Ecuador  and  Peru:  Babahoyo  [Fraser) ; 
Balzar  mountains  [lUingivorth  in  Mus.  S.-G.) ;  vie.  of  Lima 
{Nation) . 

3.  Dives  atroviolaceus. 

Quiscalus  atroviolaceus,  d'Orb.  in  La  Sagra's  Cuba,  Ois. 
p.  54,  f.  19. 

Scaphidurus  atroviolaceus,  Gray&Mitch.  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  341; 
Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  426. 

Scolecophagus  atroviolaceus,  Cab.   Mus.    Hein.   i.   p.    196; 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridse.  153 

Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Phil.  1866,  p.  415;  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1874, 
p.  134  (Cuba). 

Atro-violaceus  iinicolor ;  alls  caudaque  nigris ;  cauda  paulum 
rotundata  :  long,  tota  9'5,  alae  i'9,  caudse  rectr.  med.  4'0, 
ext.  3  7.     Fern.  Mari  similis^  sed  crassitie  paulo  minore 
et  minus  nitida. 
Hub.  Cuba. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 


Genus  IV.  Quiscalus, 

Qidscalus,  Yieill.  Analyse,  p.  37  (1816)  :  type  Q.  versicolor. 
Quiscala,  Licht.  Doubl.  p.  18  (1823)  :  type  Q.  versicolor. 
Scaphidurus,  Sw.  Phil.  Mag.   n.  s.  i.  p.  437    (1827)  :    type 

Q.  palusiris. 
Chalcophanes,  Wagler,  Syst.  Av.  (sub  Graculd)  (1827)  :  type 

Q.  versicolor. 
Holoquiscalus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.   1866,  p.  404 :    type 

Q.  crassirostris. 
Megaquiscalus,  Cassin,  op.  cit.  p.  409  :  type  Q.  major. 

This  very  difficult  series  of  birds,  commonly  classed  as 
"  Quiscalus,"  I  will  consider  under  the  subgeneric  heads 
Quiscalus,  Megaquiscalus,  and  Holoquiscalus,  as  arranged  by 
Cassin. 

a.  Quiscalus. 

Clavis  siibs2)ecierum. 

Corpore  peneo-nitente  unicolore     ceneus. 

Corpore  versicolore  : 

major :  rostio  robustiore    versicolor. 

minor :  rostro  tenuiore aglceus. 

I  cannot  say  I  am  satisfied  as  to  the  rather  finely  drawn 
distinctions  between  these  three  races  of  the  old-fashioned 
Q.  versicolor.  It  is  very  difficult  to  allocate  some  of  the 
adult  male  specimens  now  before  me  decidedly,  and  impos- 
sible to  do  so  in  the  case  of  the  females  and  young  birds ; 
but  mainly  out  of  respect  to  the  American  ornithologists 
I  retain  the  three  forms  as  subspecies. 


154  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

1.    QUISCALUS  VERSICOLOR. 

Gracula  quiscala,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  165;  Wils.  Am.  Orn. 
iii.  p.  44,  pi.  21.  f.  4. 

Chalcophanes  quiscalvs,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  196. 

Quiscalus  versicolor,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxviii.  p.  488,  et 
Gal.  des  Ois.  i.  p.  171,  pi.  108  ;  Bp.  Consp.  p.  424 ;  Sw.  Faun. 
Bor.-Am.  ii.  p.  485;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  555;  Scl.  Cat.  A. 
B.  p.  140. 

Quiscalus  purpuratus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  298  (?) . 

Quiscala  nitens,  Liclit.  Doubl.  p.  18. 

Quiscalus  purpur BUS,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  403 ; 
Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridg.  N.  A.  B.  ii.  p.  215. 
Fuliginoso-niger ;  corpore  purpureo  et  violaceo  plus  minusve 
variegato;  capite  et  cervice  undique  saturate  violaceis 
aut  purpvireis;  rostro  et pedibus nigris  :  long,  tota  120, 
alffi  7'6,  caudffi  5*2.  Fern.  Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie 
minore  et  coloribus  dilutioribus. 

Hab.  Atlantic  States  of  N.  America. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

I  have  examined  the  types  of  Quiscalus  purpureus  of 
Swainson  now  in  the  Museum  of  the  University  of  Cam- 
bridge, and  find  that  they  belong  to  this  species. 

\a.    QuiSCxiLUS  VERSICOLOR  .ENEUS. 

Quiscalus  ve7'sicolor,  Baird,  B.  N.  A.  p.  555  (partim). 
Quiscalus  aneus^  Bidgw.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1869,  p.  134. 
Quiscalus  purpureus,  var.  ceneus,   Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw. 

N.  A.  B.  ii.  p.  218. 

Fuliginoso-niger,  seneo  sericeo  perfusus ;  capite  et  collo  un- 
dique nitide  violaceis  aut  purpureis. 

Hab.  Central  States  of  North  America  north  to  Manitoba. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

1  b.  Quiscalus  versicolor  agl.eus. 

Quiscalus  baritus,  Baird,  B.  N.  A.  p.  556. 

Quiscalus  aglceus,  Baird,  Am.  Journ.  Sc.  1866,  p.  84 ; 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  PhiL  1866,  p.  404;  Bidgw.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc. 
Phil.  1869,  p.  135. 

Quiscalus  purpureus,  var.  aglaus,  Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  221. 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  155 

Similis  Q.  vei'sicolori,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  rostro  tenuiore. 

Hub.  Florida. 

The  only  s]3eciraens  of  this  smaller  form  of  Quiscahs  ver- 
sicolor that  I  have  seen  have  been  kindly  lent  to  me  by  the 
authorities  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

b.  Megaquiscalus. 

Clavis  specierum. 

a.  Rostro  valido  recto  : 

corpora  seneo  :  capite  et  coUo  purpiirascentibus    .  .  (2)  major. 
corpore  purpureo,  postice  in  aeneum  transeimte, 

crassitie  maxima    (3)  macrurus. 

crassitie  media    (4)  asshnilis. 

crassitie  minore (5)  gvmjsoni. 

b.  Rostro  tenui .  (6)  temdrostris. 

I  have  followed  the  lead  of  the  authors  of  'North- Ame- 
rican Birds '  pretty  closely  as  regards  these  Quiscali,  being- 
unable  to  suggest  any  thing  better.  The  only  well-marked 
species  is  Q.  tenuirostris ,  which  is  undoubtedly  distinct  the 
other  four  being  perhaps  better  treated  of  as  subspecies  on 
the  American  plan.  The  differences  are  hardly  more  than 
of  size^  although  Q.  major  may,  on  the  whole^  be  recognized 
by  its  more  greeny  sheen,  only  passing  into  purple  on  the 
head  and  neck. 

2.    QuiSCALUS  MAJOR. 

Quiscalus  major,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxviii.  p.  487  (1819), 
et  Enc.  Meth.  p.  900;  Bp.  Consp.  p.  424;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  s'. 
1859,  p.  58  (Omoa)  ;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  555;  Scl.  Cat.  A. 
B.  p.  141;  Dresser,  Ibis,  1865,  pp.  494  (Texas);  Salvin, 
Ibis,  1866,  p.  194  (Belize) ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  409;  Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  N.  A.  B.  ii.  p.  222;  Lawr. 
Mem.  Boston  Soc.  N.  H.  ii.  p.  281  (N.W.  Mexico) ;  Coues, 
Ibis,  1870,  p.  367. 

Quiscalus  corvinus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  300. 

Chalcophanes  major,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  jj.  196. 
Niger  jeneo-nitens ;  cajtite  et  cervice  undique  in  purpureum 
transeuntibus  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  15*0, 


156  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

'd.]ni  7  0,  oau(l»  rectr.  rned.  7'(),  ext.  4'5.  Fern.  Fumoso- 
nigra,  xneo  vix  tincta  ;  pileo  hrunneo;  subtus  brunnca, 
medialiter  albicantior ;  cri.s.so  dorso  concolore ;  rostro 
et  podibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  11*0^  alse  5"30,  caudse  5*0. 
Hab.  Coast-region  of  South-Atlantic  States:  Texas  and 
Belize. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  ct  S.-O. 

3.  QuiSCALUS  MACRURUS. 

Qiuscalus  macrourus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  291);  Bp.  Consp. 
p.  424;  Baird,  B.  N.  Am.  p.  554;  Sclater,  P.  Z.  S.  1856, 
p.  800  (Cordova,  Mcx.),  et  1858,  p.  ?>58  (Honduras)  ;  Scl. 
et  Salv.  Ibis,  1859,  p.  20  (Guatemala),  180 1,  p.  175  (City  of 
Mexico),  1870,  p.  837  (Honduras) ;  Nomencl.  p.  38 ;  Taylor, 
Ibis,  1860,  p.  112;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141;  Cassin,  Pr'  Ac. 
Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  419;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Chalcophanes  macrourus,  Cab.  Mus.  Ilcin.  p.  196,  et  J.  f.  O. 
186],  p.  82  (Costa  Rica). 

Quiscalus  major,  var.  macrurus,  Baird,  Brew.,  ct  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  225  ;  Lavvr.  Mem.  Jio.ston  Soc.  N.  H.  ii.  p.  281 
(North-west  Mcx.). 

Nitide  atropurpureus,  in  dorso  et  ventre  lino  in  ieneura  transi- 
ens ;  alis  caudaque  nigris  senco  lavatis ;  rostro  et  pedibus 
nigris:  long,  tota  17*0,  alse  7*9,  caudae  rectr.  med.  8"8, 
ext.  5*3.     Fern.  Nigricanti-brunnea,  in  dorso  et  alis  ex- 
tus  tenco  tincta;  subtus  dilutior,  fumoso-bruuiiea,  crisso 
nigricaiitc  :  long,  tota  13"0,  alaj  60,  cuudjc  6'5. 
Hub.  Mexico  and  Guatemala  :   Real  del  Monte  [Swains.) ; 
Orizaba  (7io//en);  Oaxaca;  Vera  Paz  and  Ducaas  {Salvin). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

4.  QuiSCALUS  ASSIMILIS, 

Quisculus peruvianus,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  353  (1838); 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  413('0. 

Quisculus  assimilis,  Sclater,  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141 ;  Cassin,  Pr. 
Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  310;  Scl.  ct  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38; 
Wyatt,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  330  (Colombia)  ;  Tacz.  P.  Z.  S.  p.  323 
et  p.  751  (Western  Peru). 

Quisculus  mncrurus?,  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  191  (V'cragua). 


species  of  the  Family  Icteridsn.  157 

Praecedenti  similis,  sed  crassitie  minore  :  long,  tota  14'5, 
alse  6'9,  caudse  rect.  med.  7'2,  ext.  4'6. 

Hab.  Veragua^  Panama,  Colombia,  and  Western  Peru, 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

The  name  assimilis  was  based  upon  Bogota  skins,  wLich 
are  always  much  contracted.  Veraguan  examples  are  rather 
larger. 

If  the  Peruvian  bird  is  exactly  similar_,  it  is  probable  that 
Swainson^s  name  should  be  employed  for  this  form.  But 
Swainson's  types  are  not  at  Cambridge,  and  I  have  not  been 
able  to  find  them,  if  they  are  still  in  existence. 

5.    QuiSCALUS  GRAYSONI,  Sp.  UOV. 

Quiscalus  2)alustris,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1861,  p.  411. 
Quiscalus  major,  var.  palustris,  Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  N, 
A.  B.  ii.  p.  214;  Lawr.  Mem.  Boston  Soc.  N.  H.  ii.  p.  282 
(N.W.  Mexico). 

Similis    Q.    macruro,    sed    crassitie    minore    quara    Q.    assi- 
milis: long,  tota  14'5,  alse  Q'Q,  caudae  rectr.  med.  6*5, 
ext.  4'5. 
Hab.    Mazatlan,    Mex.    [Grayson) ;    Presidio,    W.    Mex. 
{Forrer) . 
Mus.  S.-G. 

This  is  a  small  Western  Mexican  form  of  Q.  macrurus,  of 
which  the  adult  is,  I  believe,  quite  indistinguishable  from 
Q.  macrurus  in  plumage,  the  specimens  wdtli  brown  thighs 
mentioned  by  Cassin  and  Lawrence  being  doubtless  imma- 
ture. It  is  very  doubtful  whether  this  form  has  any  real 
claim  to  Swainson's  title  palustris;  his  specimens  from  the 
lakes  near  Mexico  city  were  probably  of  the  species  which 
he  afterwards  described  as  Q.  tenuirostris. 

6.  Quiscalus  tenuirostris.      (Plate  V.) 

Scaphidurus palustris,  Sw.  Phil.  Mag.  n.  s.  i.  p.  437  (1827)  ? 

Quiscahs  tenuirostris,   Sw.   An.  in   Men.  p.  299  (1838)  ; 

Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.   Sc.  Phil.    1866,  p.  411;   Baird,   Brew.,  et 

Hidgw.  N.  A.  B.  ii.  p.  214;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Atro-purpureus  unicolor;  alis  et  cauda  extus  nitenti-nigris ; 

tibiis  brunnescentibus ;  rostro  tenui :    long,  tota  13"0, 

alse  6*7,  caudse  rectr.  med.  7"0,  ext.  4*3.     Jr.  Ferrugineo 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  N 


158  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

aspersus.  Fem.  Snpra  fusca,  in  dorso  postico  alls  et 
Cauda  nigincaiis  ;  superciliis  distinctis  et  corpore  subtus 
clare  ocliraceo-f  uscis  ;  tibiis  et  crisso  nigricantibus ;  ros- 
tro  nigro,  pedibns  obscure  cornels  :  long,  tota  l()"5j  alse 
5"2,  caudee  rectr.  med.  4'4_,  ext.  3"3. 
Hab.  Central  Mexico ;  vicinity  of  Mexico  city  [Boucard 
in  Mus.  S.-G.). 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.,  S.-G.,  et  Com.  de  Berlepsch. 
I  have  little  doubt,  as  I  have  said  above,  that  this  is  the 
true  Q.  palustris  of  Swainson;  but  it  will  only  create  more 
confusion  to  supersede  the  very  appropriate  name  tenuiros- 
iris  given  by  the  same  author. 

The  species  seems  only  to  be  found  in  Central  Mexico. 
The  figures  (Plate  V.)  are  taken  from  specimens  in  my  col- 
lection. 

C,    HOLOQUISCALUS. 

Under  this  head  Cassin  has  placed  the  smaller  species  of 
Quiscalus  which  are  distributed  throughout  the  Antilles  and 
into  the  northern  portion  of  South  America.  In  the  An- 
tilles each  island  appears  to  have  its  peculiar  form,  and  I 
will  therefore  take  the  species  geographically,  beginning  with 
Cuba. 

Clavis  specierum. 
A.  Mas  niger  unicolor, 

a.  Feminse  nigrse,  marl  similes. 
«'.  Rroost  recto, 

crassitie  majore (7)  gundlachi. 

crassitie  minore (8_)  ni(jei\ 

V ,  Rostro  incurvato, 

rostro  crasso :  alis  longioribus (9)  crassiro'sfris. 

rostro  tenuiore  :  alis  brevioribus  ....     (10)  bi-achypterus, 

r(ll)  injiexirostris. 
I  (12)  guadeloupensis. 

h.  Feminse  fuscse,  mari  dissimiles* tj  (1.3)  luminosus. 

{\4:)  foi'tirostris. 
(^(15)  lugubris. 

*  I  am  not  sufficiently  well  acquainted  with  this  group  of  species  to 
attempt  to  give  diagnoses. 


species  of  the  Fainily  Icteridae.  159 

7.    QuiSCALUS  GUNDLACHI. 

Quiscalus  barytus,  d'Orb.  in  La  Sagra's  Cuba,  Ois.  p.  120; 
Thienemann,  J.  f.  O.  1857,  p.  145. 

Chalcophanes  barytus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  197;   Gundl. 
J.  f.  O.  1856,  p.  15. 

Quiscalus  gundlachii,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc,  Phil.  1866,  p.  406. 
Quiscalus  baritus,  var.  gundlachii^  Baird,  i3revv.,  et  Ridgw. 
B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  213. 

Chalcophanes  gundlachii,  GundL  J.  f.  O.  1874,  p.  135. 
Violaceo-niger ;  alis  caiidaque  extus  seneo  lavatis ;  rostro  et 
jjedibiis  nigris  ;  rostro  elongate,  culmine  recto  :    long, 
tota  12'0,  alse  5*8,  caudee  rectr.  med.  5'0,  ext.  3*5,  rostri 
a  fronte  1'3.     Fern.  Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie  minore. 
Hab.  Cuba. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

8.  Quiscalus  niger. 

Troupiale  noir  de  St.  Dumingue,  Daub.  PI.  Enl.  534. 
Oriolus  niger,  Bodd.  Table  d.  PI.  Enl.  p.  31  (1783). 
Quiscalus  niger,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  407. 
Quiscalus  barita,  Salle,  P.  Z.  S.  1857,  p.  232. 
Similis  Q.  gundlachi,  sed  crassitie  minore  et  rostro  tenuiore. 
Hab.  St.  Domingo  {Cassin). 
Mus.  Inst.  Smithson.  (teste  Cassino),mihi  uondumobvius. 

9.  Quiscalus  crassirostris. 

Gracula  barita,  Linn.  S.  N.  i.  p.  165  (?). 
Sturnus  jatnaicensis,  Daud.  Tr.  d'Orn.  ii.  p.  317  (?). 
Quiscalus  crassirostris,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  355 ;  Bp. 
Consp.   p.  425;    Gosse,  B.  Jam.  p.  217;    Scl.   Cat.   A.   B. 
p.  359 ;   Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Quiscalus  baritus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  405  ; 
Baird,  Brew.,  et  Ridgw.  B.  N.  A.  ii.  p.  213. 
Violaceo-niger;  alis  caudaque  extus  seneo  vix  lavatis;  rostro 
crasso,  culmine  incurvo  :  long,  tota  10*5,  alee  5*7,  caudee 
rectr.  med.  5-0,  ext.  3*7,  rostri  a  fronte  1-2.     Fem.  Mari 
similis,  sed  crassitie  minore. 
Hab.  Jamaica. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

N  2 


160  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

10.    QuiSCALUS  BRACK  YPTERUS. 

Quiscalus  brachypferus,  Cass.  Pr.  A.C.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  406  ; 
Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38. 

Quiscalus  crassirostris,  Gundl.  J.  f.  0.  1866,  p.  188. 

Chalcophanes  brachypterus,  Gundl.  J.  f.  O.  1878,  p.  177. 

Chulcophanes  lugubris,  Sund.  Ofv.  K.  Vet.  Ak.  Forh.  1869, 
p.  598. 

Violaceo-uiger ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  10*5, 
alffi  5*0,  caudse  rectr.  med.  4*5,  ext.  3'3.  Fem.  Mari 
similis,  sed  crassitie  minore. 

Hab.  Porto  Uico. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

11.  Quiscalus  inflexirostris. 

Quiscalus  inflexirostris,  Sw.  An.  in  Men.  p.  309  (1838)  ; 
Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  407;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1874, 
p.  175 ;  Lawr.  Proc.  U.  S.  N.  M.  i.  p.  355,  et  p.  487  (Mar- 
tiiiicjue)  ;  Semper,  P.  Z.  S.  1872,  p.  651  (St.  Lucia). 

Quiscalus  barita,  Taylor,  Ibis,  1864,  p.  168  (Martinique). 
Quiscalus  lugubris,  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1871,  p.  271  (St.  Lucia). 
Niger  violaceo  splendens ;  alls  caudaque  feneo  lavatis ;  rostro 
et  pedibus  nigris  ;  rostri  culmine  incurvo,  gonyde  recto  : 
long,  tota  10*0,  alse  5*0,  caudae  reetr.  med.  4*5,  lat.  3'5. 
Fem.  Cineraceo-fusca,  alis  caudaque  nigricantibus;  subtiis 
dilutior,  gutture  et  pectore  albicantioribus  ;  rostro  nigro, 
pedibus  obscure  carneis  :  long,  tota  8*8,  alse  4'2,  caudae 
rectr.  med.  3*4,  ext.  2  8.     (Specimina  ex  S.  Lucia.) 
Hab.  St.  Lucia  [Semper) ;  Martinique  (Taylor  et  Ober). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

There  is  a  mounted  specimen  of  this  species  in  the  Cam- 
bridge Museum,  which  may  have  been  the  type  of  Swainson's 
description.  At  any  rate,  I  think  we  are  pretty  safe  in 
applying  Swainson^s  name  to  this  species,  if  distinct  from 
Q.  lugubris  (of  which  I  have  some  doubts  !). 

12.  Quiscalus  guadeloupensis. 

Quiscalus  guadeloupensis ,  Lawr.  Pr.  U.  S.  N.  M.  i.  pp.457 
&487. 
Similis    Q.   inflexlrostri    ex  Martinica,    sed    crassitie    paulo 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  161 

majore  et  rostro  rectiore  ;  colore  feminae  quoque  diverso. 
{Laivrence.) 
Hah.  Guadeloupe  [Oher). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S. 

I  have  a  single  skin  of  this  Guadeloupe  form  in  my  col- 
lection. As  it  is  not  in  perfect  plumage  I  will  not  give  an 
opinion  upon  the  species  further  than  saying  that  its  distinct- 
ness from  Q.  inflexirostris  seems  open  to  question. 

13.  QuiSCALUS  LUMINOSUS. 

Quiscalus,  sp.^  Lawr.  Pr.  U.  S.  N.  M.  i.  p.  191. 
Quiscalus  luminosus,  Lawrence,  Ann.  N.  Y.  Acad.   Sc.  i. 
p.  162  (1878),  et  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  i.  pp.  265,  487; 
Ober,  Camps  in  the  Caribbees,  p.  247. 

Similis  Q.  brachijptero,  sed  colore  violaceo  Isetiore  et  tectri- 
cibus  caudse  superioribus  et  inferioribus  seneo-viridibus 
diversus.    Fern.  Obscure  fusca,  subtus  obscure  cineracea, 
in  gutture  et  pectore  dilutior.     [Lawrence.) 
Hab.  Grenada  and  Grenadines. 
Mus.  Nat.  U.  S.  (mihi  nondum  obvius). 

14.  Quiscalus  fortirostris. 

Quiscalus  fortir ostr is,  Lawr.  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1868,  p.  360; 
Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  175,  et  Ibis,  1873,  p.  324  (Barbadoes). 

Quiscalus  rectirostris,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  409  (?) . 

Nigerrimus  vix  purpureo  tinctus ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  : 
long,  tota  9'0,  alse  4*25,  caudae,  4'2.  Fern.  Mari  similis, 
sed  crassitie  minore. 

Hab.  Barbadoes. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S. 

Obs.  Similis  Q.  lugubri,  sed  crassitie  minore ;  colore  minus 
violaceo ;  necnon  rostro  breviore  et  magis  crasso  diversus. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  species  I  have  ever  seen  is  a 
single  skin  (probably  of  a  female,  from  its  small  size),  re- 
ceived in  spirit  in  1873,  in  my  own  collection.  It  is  really 
curious  that  it  should  have  been  left  to  an  American  orni- 
thologist to  describe  as  new  one  of  the  commonest  birds'^  in. 
*  Cf.  Salvin's  letter,  Ibis,  1873.  p.  334. 


162  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

the  Euglish  island  of  Barbadoes,  and  that  there  should  be 
no  specimens  of  it  in  our  collections  except  a  miserable  skin 
taken  from  a  specimen  received  in  spirit. 

15.    QuiSCALUS  LUGUBRIS. 

Quiscalus  luguhris,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  299  ;  P.  Z.  S. 
1857,  p.  265  (Amazons),  et  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141  ;  Burm.  Syst. 
Ueb.  iii.  p.  283;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  408; 
Taylor,  Ibis,  1864,  p.  84  (Trinidad). 

Chalcophanes  jamaicensis  {^)  et  C.  minor  (  ?  ) ,  Cab.  in 
Schomb.  Guian.  iii.  p.  683. 

Chalcophanes  luguhris,  Finsch,  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  p.  577. 
Quiscalus  barita,  Leotaud,  Ois.  Trin.  p.  268  (Trinidad). 
Purpurascenti-niger ;  alis  caudaque  extiis  ieneo  lavatis ;  rostro 
et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  8*2,  alse  4*3,  caud?e  rcctr. 
med.  3*8,  ext.  2'9.     Fern.  Fumoso-nigra,  alis  caudaque 
nigricantibus,  subtiis  vix  dilutior:  long,  tota  8*2,  alae 
4*0,  caudffi  rectr.  med.  3*7,  ext.  2'8.  (Specim.  ex  Cayenne, 
maris  in  Mus.  P.  L.  S.,  feminse  in  Mus.  S,-G.) 
Hub.  Venezuela  and  the  Guianas. 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

I  have  had  a  male  specimen  of  this  bird  (of  Cayenne  make) 
in  my  collection  since  J  846  !  With  the  female  I  have  only 
lately  become  acquainted  fi^om  the  specimen  in  the  collection 
of  Messrs.  Salvin  and  Godman. 

Genus  V.    MACRAOELyEUS. 

Macroagelaius,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  13  :  type 
M.  subalar'is. 

Cassin  has  classed  this  bird  as  an  Agelams  under  a  different 
subgeneric  heading.  I  think,  however,  that  its  long  graduated 
tail  constitutes  it  more  probably  a  member  of  the  Quiscaline 
group,  although  I  agree  with  Cassin  that  it  is  better  to  treat 
it  as  entitled  to  rank  as  a  genus. 

1.  Macragel^us  subalaris. 

Quiscalus  subalaris,  Boiss.  Rev.  Zool.  1810,  p.  70 ;  Bp. 
Consp.  p.  525 ;  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141,  et  P.  Z.  S.  1855, 
p.  153  (Bogota)  ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl.  p.  38  ;  Wyatt,  Ibis, 
1871,  pp.  127,  330  (Colombia). 


Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae.  163 

Agelaius  subalm-is,  Cassin_,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866^  p.  13. 
Nigei%  nitens ;    subalaribus    saturate  castaneis :    long,   tota 
ll'O,   alfte  5'0,   cauclse  rectr.  med.  5'7,  ext.  4'3.     Fem, 
Mari  similis^  sed   crassitie  minore  :  long,  tota  9*0^  alee 
4*5_,  caudse  4*5. 
Hab.  Colombia :    Paramo  of  Pamplona,,   alt.   10,000  feet 
(Wyati). 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

Genus  VI.  Hypopyrrhus. 

Hypopyrrhus,  Bp.  Consp.  i.  p.  425  (1851)  :  type  H.  pyrrho- 
gaster, 

1.  Hypopyrrhus  pyrrhogaster. 

Cassicus  jjyrrhogaster,  De  Tarr.  Rev.  Zool.  1837,  p.  253. 
Hypopyrrhus  pyrrhogaster ,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  425  ;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S. 
1855,  p.  154  (Bogota);  Sclateret  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1879,  p.  510 
(Antioquia),  et  Nomencl.  p.  39. 

Quiscalus  pyrrhogaster,  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B.  p.  141 ;  Cass.  Pr. 
Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  18G6,  p.  412. 

Coracino-niger ;  pi  lei  et  capitis  laterum  plurals  filiformibus, 
incrassatis,  nitentibus ;  lateribus,  ventre  imo  et  crisso 
ruberriniis  ;  tibiis  nigris  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long, 
tota  12"0,  alae  5"5,  caudse  rectr.  med.  5*5,  lat.  4'5.  Fern. 
Mari  similis,  sed  colore  paulo  dilutiore  et  crassitie  mi- 
nore. 
Hab.  Colombia :  Antioquia  [Salmon) . 
Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

The  nearest  affinities  of  this  peculiar  form  appear  to  be 
with  Apjhobus  chopi,  which  has  the  same  singular  structure 
of  the  head-feathers ;  but  it  does  not  show  any  traces  of  the 
furrows  on  the  lower  mandible  which  distinguish  the  adult 
male  of  the  Chopi. 

Genus  VII.  Aphobus. 

Aphobus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  194  (1851)  :  type  A.  chopi. 

1.  Aphobus  chopi. 

El  Chopi,  Azara,  Pax.  i.  p.  282. 

Agelaius  chopi,\\Q\\\.  Nouv.  Diet,  xxxiv.  p.  537  (1819),  et 


164  Mr.  P.  L.  Sclater  on  the 

Enc.  Meth.  p.  713;   Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  11; 
Hartl.  Ind.  Azara,  p.  5  (Paraguay). 

Icterus  unicolor,  Licht.  Doubl.  p.  19;  Max.  Beitr.  iii. 
p.  1208  (Bahia  and  Minas). 

Icterus  sulcirostris,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  i.  p.  67,  pi.  6 J.  f.  2 
(Minas). 

Af/elanis  sulcirostris,  Sw.  An.  in  Menag.  p.  303. 

Aphobus  chopi,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  194';  Scl.  Cat.  A.  B. 
p.  141 ;  Cabanis,  J.  f.  O.  1874,  p.  85  (Cantagallo,  Rio)  ; 
Hamilton,  Ibis,  1871,  p.  303  (S.  Paulo);  Tacz.  P.Z.S.  1877, 
p.  323  (Tumbez,  W.  Peru)  et  p.  750  (W.  Pern)  ;  Forbes, 
Ibis,  1881,  p.  339  (Pernambuco) ;  Scl.  et  Salv.  Nomencl. 
p.  39. 

Psarocolius  unicolor,  Bnrm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii.  p.  281,  et  La 
Plata  Reise,  ii.  p.  494  (Mendoza). 

Nigro-nitens  unicolor ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris,  rostro  infe- 
riore  longitudinabter  sulcato :  long,  tota  92,  alse  5*2, 
caudse  vix  rotundatse  4*0.  Fern.  Miniis  nitens,  cras- 
sitie  minore  et  rostro  non  sulcato. 

Hub.  Paraguay,  Nortbern  La  Plata  and  Southern  Brazil 
northwards  to  Pernambuco  :  also  Western  Peru. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

There  are  perhaps  two  forms  of  this  species,  a  stronger 
southern  form  from  Paraguay  and  South  Brazil  [A.  chopi), 
and  a  weaker  northern  form  from  S.E.  Brazil  (Bahia  and 
Pernambuco),  A.  sulcirostris.  I  have  not  been  able  to  exa- 
mine Peruvian  examples. 

Genus  VIII.  Cassidix. 

Scaphidurus,  Sw.  Faun.  Bor.-Am.  Aves,  p.  494  (1831,  nee 
Sw.  1827)  :  type  C.  oryzivora. 

Cassidix,  Less.  Trait.  d^Orn.  i.  p.  433  (1831)  :  type  C.  ory- 
zivora. 

Scaphidura,  Sw.  Class.  B.  ii.  p.  272   (1837)  :  type  C.  oryzi- 
vora. 
Although  I  here  follow  Dr.  Cabanis  in  associating  this 

genus  with  the  Quiscalinse,  I   must  confess  that  I  think  it 

would  be  better  placed  with  the  Cassicinee,  with  which  it 


Species  of  the  Famify  Jcteridx.  165 

agrees   in  the   dilated   frontal  shield^  naked   nostrils^   long 
wingSj  and  rounded  tail. 

1.  Cassidix  oryzivora. 

Oriokis  oryzivorus,  Gm.  S.  N.  i.  p.  386. 

Cassidix  oryzivora,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  194;  Cassin,  Pr. 
Ac.  So.  Phil.  1866,  p.  416;  Scl.  P.  Z.  S.  1858,  p.  98  (Mexico), 
1859,  p.  57  (Honduras),  1859,  p.  140  (Ecuador),  et  Cat.  A. 
B.  p.  142;  Scl.  et  Salv.  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  p.  354  (Panama), 
1867,  p.  279  (Mosquitia),  1867,  p.  573  (Para),  1867,  p.  978 
(Pebas),  1869,  p.  252  (Venezuela),  1873,  p.  185  (S.  Peru), 
1873,  p.  267  (Upper  Amazons),  1879,  p.  510  (Antioquia),  et 
Nomeucl.  p.  39;  Salvin,  Ibis,  1861,  p.  353  (Centr.  Am.),  et 
P.Z.S.  1870,  p.  191  (Veragua)  ;  Salv.  et  Godm.  Ibis,  1879, 
p.  201,  et  1880,  p.  123  (Santa  Marta)  ;  Berlepsch.  J.  f.  O. 
1873,  p.  25]   (South  Brazil). 

Tordo  grande,  Azara,  Apunt.  i.  p.  273. 

Cassicus  ater,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  v.  p.  363,  et  Enc.  Meth. 
p.  723 ;  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  415  ;  Pelz.  Orn. 
Bras.  p.  201  ;  Tacz.  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  323  (W.  Peru). 

Cassicus  niger,  Licht.  Duubl.  p.  19;  Max.  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1241 . 

Psarocolius  palliatus,  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  no.  4. 

Corvus  (Cassidix)  mexicanus,  Less.  Tr.  d^Orn.  p.  433. 

Cassidix  mexicanus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  ]866,  p.  416. 

Scaphidura  barita  et  S.  crassirostra,  Sw.  An.  in  Men.  p.  301. 

Cassicus  palliatus,  Tsch.  Faun.  Per.  p.  229. 

Scaphidura  atra,  Cab.  in  Schomb.  Guiana,  iii.  p.  683. 

Quiscalus  ater,  Bp.  Consp.  p.  426 ;  Burm.  Syst.  Ueb.  iii. 
p.  278. 

Cassidix  vielloti,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866,  p.  417. 
Atro-violaceus ;  colli   plumis   elongatis  expansis ;  rostro   et 
pedibus   nigris  :  long,  tota    14-0,  alse  7*8,  caudae  rectr. 
med.  6*1,  ext.  5"3.     Fejn.  Mari  similis,  sed  crassitie  mi- 
nore  et  ptilosi  minus  nitidS,. 

Hab.  Central  and  South  America,  from  S.  Mexico  to 
Paraguay  and  S.  Peru. 

Mus.  P.  L.  S.  et  S.-G. 

I  cannot  agree  with  Cassin  in  dividing  the  different  races 
of  this  widely  spread  bird  into  distinct  species.  ^ 


166  Mr.  P.  L,  Sclater  on  the  Family  Icteridse. 

Appendix  Specierum  obscurarum, 

I  have  now  given  an  account  of  all  the  species  of  the 
family  Icteridse  known  to  me.  It  has  been  based  principally 
upon  the  examination  of  the  specimens  in  my  own  collection 
and  in  that  of  Messrs.  Salvin  and  Godman.  In  the  case  of 
the  last  three  subfamilies,  I  have  also  had  the  advantage  of 
consulting  the  series  in  the  collection  of  my  good  friend 
Hans,  Graf  v.  Berlepsch,  who  has  most  kindly  sent  his  spe- 
cimens over  to  me  in  aid  of  my  researches.  Out  of  the  127 
species  which  I  have  enumerated  above '^,  four  only  are  not 
known  to  me  ex  visit  f,  but  have  been  inserted  in  what  seem 
to  be  their  proper  places  on  the  authority  of  other  authors. 
But  there  remain  a  few  other  described  species  which, 
although  no  examples  of  them  have  come  under  my  observa- 
tion, deserve  to  be  mentioned  in  order  that  they  may  be  kept 
in  the  memory  of  future  investigators.     These  are: — 

(1)  Cassicus  melanui'us,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  18G6, 
p.  66,  from  Guyaquil. 

Of  this  bird,  resembling  C.  persicus,  but  having  the  tail- 
coverts  and  entire  tail  black,  there  is  said  to  be  a  specimen  at 
Philadelphia  received  from  the  Massena  collection.  Is  it 
not  an  artefact  ? 

(2)  Cassicus  leiccurus^  Wied,  Beitr.  iii.  p.  1245,  from  S.E. 
Brazil. 

This  white-tailed  Cassique  seems  to  be  a  very  doubtful 
species,  only  known  by  the  report  of  the  Indians. 

(3)  Molothrus  cabanisi,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866^ 
p.  22,  from  Guiana  and  Santa  Marta. 

A  uniformly  coloured  species  allied  to  Lampropsar  gida- 
nensis,  but  larger,  is  quite  unknown  to  me. 

*      I.  Oassiclnfe  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  145)    27 

II.  Icterinae  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  352) 37 

III.  Agelfeinaj  (Ibis,  1884,  p.  1) 38 

IV.  Quiscalinre  (Ibis,  1884,  p.  149) 25 

127 

t  Namely  Molothrus  armenti,  Cyrtotes  maxillaris,  Quiscalus  nujer  and 
Q.  luminosus. 


Canon  Tristvam  on  San  Domingo  Birds.  167 

(4)  Molothrus  murinus,  Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.,  from  Rio  Janeiro 
(Natt.),  is  based  upon  two  female  specimens. 

(5)  Agelaius  pustulatus,  S\v.  An.  in  Men.  p.  303,  from 
Brazil,  if  correctly  described,  is  different  from  any  thing  that 
I  have  seen, 

(6)  Idiopsar  brachyurus,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  414,  from  Bolivia,  remarkable  for  its  short  tail  and  plum- 
beous plumage,  is  unknown  to  me.  Is  it  an  Iderine  ?  (Mus. 
Smiths.  Inst.)^ 

(7)  Quiscalus  mexicanus,  Cassin,  op.  cit.  p.  408.  A  uni- 
formly coloured  species  belonging  to  the  group  Haloquiscalus, 
which  is  likewise  unknown  to  me. 


XV. — On  a  Collection  of  San  Dommgo  Birds. 
By  H.  B.  Tristram,  D.D.,  F.R.S. 

A  SMALL  collection  of  birds  lately  made  by  Mr.  C.  McGrigor 
in  the  island  of  San  Domingo  has  been  placed  in  my  hands 
for  determination;  and  though  it  contains  nothing  new,  yet 
so  few  collections  reach  us  from  that  island,  the  natural 
history  of  which  was  perhaps  better  known  a  century  ago 
than  to-day,  that  an  account  of  it  may  be  of  interest  to  some 
readers  of  '  The  Ibis.'  Witb  the  exception  of  some  of  the 
cosmopolitan  Waders,  all  the  species  in  the  series  have  been 
already  recorded  from  this  locality ;  but  some  of  them  are 
rare,  notably  a  large  Picumnus,  which  has  recently  been 
described  and  figured  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Cory  under  the  name  of 
Picumnus  lawrencii  (Bull.  Nuttall  Orn.  Club,  vol.  vi.  1881, 
p.  129).  Both  male  and  female  are  contained  in  this  collec- 
tion, and  I  am  satisfied  that  Mr.  Cory^s  name  must  sink  into 
a  synonym  of  SundevalFs  P.  micromegas  (Conspect.  Av.  Picin. 
p.  95).  Sundevall  described  this  species  from  a  specimen  in 
the  Museum  of  Stockliolm,  which  was  hitherto,  so  far  as  I 
am  aware,  unique  in  European  collections.     But  Mr.  Coiy 

*  p.S. — The  authorities  of  the  U.  S.  Nat.  Museum  have  most  kindly 
sent  me  this  type  for  comparison.  I  propose  to  give  an  account  of  it  in 
the  next  Number  of  this  Journal. 


168  Canon  Tristram  on  San  Domingo  Birds. 

observes  that  the  sjiecimen  came  from  Brazil^  and  that  he 
cannot  make  SiindevaH's  description  agree  with  the  Haytian 
bird.  Now  all  that  Sundevall  says  is,  that  the  bird  was  in  a 
very  rich  collection  acquired  in  Brazil  by  the  Swedish  consul 
Westin,  and  made  by  Freyreiss.  But  the  avifauna  of  Brazil 
is  pretty  well  known,  and  it  is  scarcely  jirobable  that  a  Bra- 
zilian Woodpecker  should  have  remained  for  nearly  seventy 
years  represented  by  a  unique  specimen,  and  there  is  no 
proof,  or  even  assertion,  of  the  real  habitat  of  the  type. 
Moreover,  having  before  me  the  descriptions  and  measure- 
ments of  Sundevall  and  Mr.  Cory,  I  am  unable  to  detect  the 
most  trivial  discrepancy  between  them,  and  both  exactly 
agree  with  Mr.  McGrigor's  male  specimen.  It  is  very  pro- 
bable that  SundevalFs  type  came  originally  from  Hayti,  and 
his  name  therefore  must  stand. 

Mr.  McGrigor's  collection  contains  the  following  species  : — 
Mimocichla  ardesiaca,  Mniotilta  varia,  Parula  americana, 
Dendrosca  ccerulescens,  Setopha(/a  ruticilla,  Dulus  dominicus, 
Euphonia  musica,  Phoenicophiluspalmarum,  Loxigilla  violacea, 
Phonipara  bicolor,  Icterus  dominicensis ,  Quiscalus  ater,  Tyran- 
nus  dominicensis,  Lampornis  aurulentus,  Picumnus  micromegas 
(  =  P.  lawrencii,  Cory),  Centurus  striatus,  Todus  subulatus, 
Ceryle  alcyon,  Saurothera  dominicensis,  Conurus  euops,  Cha- 
nfKepeliapasserina,  Columba  leucocephala,  Ardea  ccErulea,  Ardea 
virescens,  Ardea  candidissima,  ^yEgialitis  semipalmatus , 
^  Strepsilas  interpres,  Phoenicopterus  ruber,  ^Platalea  ajaja. 

The  three  species  marked  §  are  not  included  by  Dr.  Bryant 
in  his  list  of  the  birds  of  San  Domingo  (Proc.  Boston  Soc. 
Nat.  Hist.  vol.  xi.  p.  89). 

Unfortunately  no  localities  are  given ;  but  I  believe  the 
collection  was  made  near  Samana,  on  the  N.E.  of  San  Do- 
mingo. Mr.  McGrigor  expects  shortly  to  spend  some  time 
in  the  mountains  between  Samana  and  Santiago,  and  we  may 
hope  that  in  his  leisure  time  he  may  be  able  to  add  much 
more  to  our  knowledge  of  the  interior  mountain  region. 


On  some  Eastern  Oiols.  169 

XVI. — On  some  Eastern  Owls.  By  J.  H.  Gurney. 
Having  recently  had  the  opportunity,  through  the  kindness 
of  Captain  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  of  examining  the  fine 
series  of  Strigidse  collected  by  the  late  Lord  Tweeddale,  I 
am  desirous  of  recording  a  few  remarks  on  some  of  the 
specimens  in  that  collection,  and  also  on  a  few  of  the  Owls 
in  the  Norwich  Museum. 

The  paper  on  a  collection  of  birds  from  the  district  of 
Lampong  in  S.E.  Sumatra,  which  was  communicated  by 
Lord  Tweeddale  to  'The  Ibis  '  for  1877,  contains  a  mention 
of  two  specimens  of  Ninox  scutulata,  which  formed  part  of 
that  collection,  but  only  describes  them,  at  p.  287,  as 
*'  absolutely  identical  with  the  Malaccan  individuals  in  mus. 
nostr/^  As  this  species  was  originally,  but  not  very  fully, 
described  by  Sir  R.  S.  Raffles  from  a  Sumatran  example,  I 
have  thought  it  desirable  to  record  the  following  additional 
particulars  of  the  two  specimens  referred  to  in  Lord  Tweed- 
dale's  paper;  they  are  very  nearly  of  the  same  size,  and 
measure  as  under,  the  sex  not  having  been  recorded : — 


No.  1. 

No.  2. 


Middle 

Wing. 

Tarsuf?. 

toe  s.  u. 

7-45 

1-10 

1-10 

7-50 

1-20 

1-00 

In  both  specimens  the  fourth  primary  is  the  longest,  but 
the  third  very  nearly  equals  it ;  the  axillaries  are  barred  with 
alternate  bands  of  white  and  dark  brown,  and  the  number  of 
dark  transverse  bars  on  the  tail  is  four. 

Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay^s  Museum  contains  four  skins 
of  a  Ninox  from  the  Nicobar  Islands,  which  perhaps  cannot 
be  separated  from  N.  scutulata,  though  it  differs  from  the 
two  Sumatran  specimens  above  mentioned  in  the  somewhat 
more  ferruginous  tints  of  the  wing-coverts  and  of  the  dark 
markings  on  the  under  surface,  especially  the  latter,  in  the 
more  numerous  dark  caudal  cross  bars  (five  in  three  speci- 
mens and  six  in  the  fourth),  and  in  two  skins  out  of  the  four 
having  the  axillaries  of  an  unbarred  fulvous.  In  all  these 
respects   the   birds  in  question   approach  the  allied  smaller 


170  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  on 

species  [N.  affinis)  ;  but  in  size  they  agree  better  with  N. 

scutulata,  measuring  as  under — 

Middle 
Wing.  Tarsus.         toe  s.  u. 

$ .  Trinkut  Island 7-80  I'OO  I-IO 

2 .  do 8-00  1-05  1-20 

Not  sexed,  only  marked  "Nico-I  q.-jq  -..qq  -..-.q 

bars  "    i 

Ditto  ditto  8-20  MO  MO 

I  subjoin  for  comparison  the  following  measurements  of 
three  Andaman  specimens  of  iV.  ajfinis,  also  in  the  possession 

of  Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay  : — • 

Middle 
Wing.  Tarsus.         toe  s.  u. 

S .  Port  Blair 6-95  I'lO  MO 

c?.        do C-85  1-05  0-90 

2 .        do 6-90  1-00  1-00 

These  three  specimens  all  have  five  dark  cross  bars  on  the 
tail,  and  the  axillaries  are  unbarred  fulvous. 

Mr.  Hume  states  in  '  Stray  Feathers/  vol.  iv.  p.  285^  that 
two  "^^races^'  oiNinox  occur  in  the Nicobar  Islands,  the  smaller 
of  which  he  identifies  with  N.  affinis  ;  but  the  only  examples 
of  N.  affinis  which  I  have  personally  examined  are  the  three 
from  the  Andamans  above  referred  to. 

In  Lord  Tweeddale^s  list  of  a  collection  of  birds  from 
Zamboanga,  in  the  island  of  Mindanao,  published  in  the 
Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  for  1878,  he  mentioned  (p.  940)  two  spe- 
cimens of  Ninox  which  he  there  referred  to  A^.  lugubris,  also 
quoting  a  remark  of  mine  as  to  the  remarkable  rufous 
tint  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  primaries  in  these  two  speci- 
mens ;  I  have  now  re-examined  them,  and  desire  to  add  a 
note  as  to  the  colour  of  the  paler  interspaces  on  the  tail, 
■which,  in  both,  are  decidedly  tinged  with  rufous,  though  not 
so  brightly  on  the  outer  webs  of  the  primaries.  Both  these 
specimens  have  five  dark  cross  bars  on  the  tail,  and  the 
axillaries  are  cross-barred  with  dark  brown  and  fulvous 
alternately. 

Amongst  the  races  very  nearly  allied  to  Ninox  lugubris, 
and,  so  far  as  I  can  judge,  not  really  distinct  from  it,  is 
N.  burmanica,  Hume.     Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay  possesses 


some  Eastern  Owls.  171 

several  sexed  examples  of  this  form  collected  at  Tonglioo, 
from  which  I  have  noted  the  following  measurements,  that 
may  perhaps  be  worth  recording  : — 

Wing.  Tarsus. 

Male    8-80  I'lO 

do 8-60  1-20 

1 8-50  1-10 

Five  females  i    to  to 

1 8-9o  1-20 

An  unsexed  specimen  in  the  same  collection  from  Assam, 
apparently  referable  to  the  same  race,  has  a  wing-measure- 
ment of  9'10,  with  the  tarsus  1'20. 

One  of  the  scarcer  species  of  Ninox  in  Captain  Wardlaw 
Ramsay's  collection  is  N.  obscura,  a  native  of  the  Andaman 
Islands,  which  bears  a  curious  similarity  in  the  nearly 
uniform  fuscous  coloration  of  its  underparts  to  the  more 
southern  N.  theomacha,  from  which,  however,  it  is  readily 
distinguishable  by  its  larger  size  and  darker  abdomen,  as 
well  as  by  the  tail  (which  is  only  partially  cross-barred  in 
N.  theomacha)  having  from  four  to  five  dark  transverse  bars, 
and  also  bearing  a  white  tip. 

I  have  taken  the  following  measurements  from  Captain 
Wardlaw  Eamsay's  three  specimens  of  N.  obscura,  which,  if 
correctly  sexed,  exhibit  the  curious  peculiarity  of  the  male 
bird  being  longer  in  the  wing  than  the  two  females  ;  I  may 
add  that  one  of  the  latter  has  several  snow-white  feathers 
on  the  nape,  which  bear  the  aj)pearance   of  an  accidental 

variation ; — 

Middle 
Wing.  Tarsus.  toe  s.  u. 

S .  South  Andamans 880  1-10  1-20 

5 .  do.  .  8-40  1-10  1-20 

5.  do.  8-20  1-10  1-20 

I  annex  for  comparison  the  measurements  of  four  speci- 
mens of  N.  theomacha  in  the  Norwich  Museum  : — 

Middle 
Wing.  Tarsus.         toe  s.  u. 

c? .  Andai,  N.E.  New  Gumea  . .  7-10  TIO  1-00 

(? .  Jobie  Island 7-2o  1-15  0-90 

2.         do 7-60  1-10  1-00 

Not  sexed,  S.E.  New  Guinea    .  .  7-60  1-20  0-95 


172  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  on  some  Eafitern  Owls. 

I  may  take  this  opportunity  of  mentioning  another  scarce 
Owl  from  Jobie  Island,  which  has  lately  been  acquired  by 
the  Norwich  Museum,  viz.  Ninox  dimorpha ;  this  specimen, 
which  has  been  marked  by  the  collector  as  a  female, 
measures — wing  8*75,  tarsus  1'40,  middle  toe  s.u.  I'lO. 

Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay  possesses  a  beautiful  rufous  Owl, 
a  male,  from  Camorta  Island  in  the  Nicobar  group,  where  it 
was  obtained  by  Captain  Wimberley  on  January  23,  1874, 
which  I  refer  to  Scops  nicobaricus,  described  by  Mr.  Hume 
in  '  Stray  Feathers,'  vol.  iv.  p.  283 ;  but  the  plumage  of  the 
present  specimen  exhibits  a  more  unbroken  rufous  than  that 
described  by  Mr.  Hume— more  unbroken,  indeed,  than  that 
of  any  other  rufous  Owl  which  I  remember  to  have  exa- 
mined. 

Mr.  Hume  speaks  of  the  ''  crown  and  entire  upper  surface  " 
being  "  more  or  less  freckled  and  vermiculated  with  blackish 
brown,  and  with  the  feathers  of  the  rutf  on  the  sides  of  the 
neck  and  across  the  throat  strongly  marked  with  black.'' 

All  these  black  and   blackish-brown  markings  and  vermi- 
culations  are  absent   from  the  present  specimen,  the  entire 
plumage  of  which,  both  above  and  below,  is  of  a  bright  rich 
rufous  throughout,  with  the  following  exceptions  only  : — The 
lower   scapulars    are    partly  white,  as  in   Scops  sunia ;    the 
outer  webs  of  the  primaries  are  barred  with  blackish  brown, 
and  those   of   the  first  four  are   sparsely  ocellated   on  the 
external  margin  with  fulvous  white ;  the  outer  webs  of  the 
secondaries  and  tertials  are  similarly  crossed  with  dark  trans- 
verse bars,  but  less  distinctly  ;  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  wing- 
feathers  are  broadly  cross-barred  with  black,  the  interspaces 
being  blackish,  mingled,  especially  on  the  tertials,  with  ful- 
vescent  rufous ;  the  rectrices  are  cross-barred  with  blackish 
brown,  the  bars  being  most  distinct  on  the  inner  webs  of  the 
lateral  tail-feathers  ;   the  bastard  wing  is  marked  like  the 
first  four  primaries,  and  the  adjacent  edge  of  the  wing  itself 
is  very  slightly  mottled  with  white ;  there  is   also   a  slight 
mottling  of  pale  fulvous  and  blackish  brown  on  the  under 
wing-coverts.     I  may  add  that  the  bristly  feathers  round  the 
upper  mandible  (which  are  long  and  numerous)  are  whitish 


Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  on  the  Egyptian  Nightjar.         173 

on  their  basal  portion,  but  rufous  for  the  remainder  of  their 
length. 

The  present  specimen  measures  as  under : — 

inches. 

Wing 5-80 

Tarsus     0-90 

Middle  toe  s.  w 085 

Ear-tuft 0-60 


XVII. — Remarks  on  the  Occurrence  of  the  Egyptian  Night- 
jar in  Nottinghamshire.     By  J.  H.  Gukney,  Jun. 

On  the  .23rd  of  June,  1883  {as  recorded  in  '  The  Zoologist,' 
p.  374),  an  Egyptian  or  Isabelline  Nightjar  {Caprimulgns 
(Egyptius)  was  shot  near  Mansfield,  in  Nottinghamshire,  and 
is  now  in  the  fine  British  collection  of  Mr.  Joseph  Whitaker, 
who  had  it  while  still  in  the  flesh.  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser  figui'es 
two  forms,  the  pale  and  the  dark  ;  the  difference  is  but  slight, 
but  it  is  apparently  to  the  dark  form  that  Mr.  Wliitaker's 
bird  belongs.  Mr.  Dresser  says  the  range  of  the  Egyptian 
Nightjar  is  not  very  extensive,  Egypt  and  Nubia  appearing 
to  be  its  true  home  ('  Birds  of  Europe,'  iv.  p.  629) .  I  believe 
I  saw  a  good  many  in  Egypt,  but,  strange  to  say,  never  shot 
one.  From  seeing  them  in  April,  evidently  coming  north 
with  the  migratory  stream,  I  supposed  them  to  be  summer 
visitants;  but  as  Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  informs  me  of  his  having 
shot  some  in  December  1853,  and  as  I  have  lately  seen  an 
example  obtained  at  Komombo  on  February  12th,  1882,  by 
Mr.  F.  Worthington,  it  is  quite  evident  that  the  species^ 
though  a  true  migrant,  is  found  in  Egypt  at  all  seasons. 

How  far  south  it  goes  is  not  known,  but  westwards 
Mr.  Dresser  mentions  (/.  c.)  that  he  has  identified  specimens 
from  Baluchistan  and  Turkestan.  Strange  to  say,  it  has 
not  been  met  with  in  Palestine,  where,  perhaps,  its  place  is 
taken  by  C.  asiaticus  (C.  tamaricis,  Tristr.).  The  European 
occurrences,  previous  to  the  Nottinghamshire  specimen  now 
recorded,   are    Herr  Gatke's   Heligoland  example,  obtained 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  o 


174  Mr.  H.  Seebolim  on  the 

eighty  ears  ago,  on  the  same  day  but  one  as  the  English  bird, 
and  three  specimens  obtained  in  Malta  in  the  spring  of  1876, 
recorded  in  this  Journal  (Ibis,  1881,  p.  192)  by  Prof.  Giglioli, 
who  adds  that  another  was  shot  in  Sicily  by  Baron  G,  Caruso. 
Mr.  Whitaker's  bird  makes  the  sixth  European  specimen,  and 
adds  a  third  species  of  the  genus  to  the  British  list,  the 
Red-necked  Nightjar  (C  rvficolUs)  having  been  already  ob- 
tained here. 


XVIII. — Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 

(Plate  VI.) 

Two  more  collections  of  Japanese  birds,  for  which  I  am 
indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  F.  Ilinger  of  Nagasaki  and 
Mr.  H.  Henson  of  Plakodadi,  enable  me  to  add  a  few  species 
to  the  list  of  birds  from  these  islands,  and  to  correct  some 
errors  in  the  identification  of  those  already  recorded. 

Phaleris  psittacula. 

An  example  obtained  by  Mr.  Snow  on  the  Kurile  Islands 
is  correctly  identified. 

Mormon  corniculatus. 

An  example  collected  by  Mr.  Snow  on  the  Kurile  Islands 
is  correctly  identified. 

Bbachyrhamphus  kittlitzi. 

A  male  collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at  Hakodadi  on  the 
23rd  of  March  is  intermediate  between  no.  1269  and  no. 
1357  {'  Ibis,^  1881,  p.  30),  and  points  to  the  conclusion 
that  these  four  examples  may  be  four  stages,  from  young  to 
adult,  of  one  species,  probably  B.  kittlitzi.  I  am  expecting 
further  skins  from  Kamtschatka_,  which  may  throw  more  light 
on  the  subject. 

Uria  columba. 

An  adult  example  (No.  2795)  collected  by  Mr.  Snow  in 
the  Kurile  Islands,  and  an  immature  female  (no.  1850)  from 


Ornithulogy  of  Japan.  175 

Hakodadi,  are  correctly  identified.    Mr.  Heuson  has  also  sent 
an  adult  and  an  immature  example  of  U.  carbo. 

Bernicla  nigricans. 

An  example  of  the  Black  Brent  Goose  sent  by  Mr.  Ringer 
from  Nagasaki  agrees  with  examples  from  Yedo  Bay  and 
Hakodadi,  and  has  hitherto  been  erroneously  identified  as  the 
Brent  Goose  (Ibis,  1878,  p.  212).  There  are  sixteen  feathers 
in  the  tail.  It  is  an  almost  uniform  dark  bro\vn,  the  head, 
neck,  and  breast  nearly  black,  except  a  white  crescent  streaked 
with  black  on  the  fore  neck,  nearly  meeting  on  the  hind 
neck.  Examples  of  the  Brent  Goose  with  the  very  dark 
underparts  below  the  breast  are  found  in  England  on  the 
Essex  and  Lincolnshire  coasts,  together  with  typical  birds; 
and  in  some  of  them  the  white  on  the  neck  is  almost  as  much 
developed  as  in  the  Black  Brent  Goose. 

This  species  is  said  to  be  found  on  both  coasts  of  North 
America,  but  very  rarely  on  the  east  coast.  It  was  first  de- 
scribed by  Lawrence  (Ann.  Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  York,  iv. 
p.  171).  The  volume  is  dated  1818,  but  the  paper  was  read 
on  the  16th  of  March,  1846.  This  bird  must  not  be  con- 
founded with  B.  hutchinsi  from  Hakodadi  (Ibis,  1882,  p.  369), 
which  is  paler  and  has  the  belly  nearly  white,  and  large 
triangular  patches  of  white  covering  the  cheeks  and  ear- 
coverts  on  each  side  of  the  head,  as  in  B.  canadensis,  of  which 
it  is  a  small  form,  and  with  which  it  is  probably  co)ispecitic. 
B.  leucopareia  is  another  form  of  the  size  of  B.  canadensis, 
but  differing  from  it  and  B.  hutchinsi  in  having  a  pale  ring 
round  the  lower  throat. 

Tadorna  cornuta. 

Several  examples  collected  by  Mr.  Ringer  at  Nagasaki  are 
correctly  identified. 

QUERQUEDULA  CIRCIA. 

Examples  of  the  Garganey  have  been  sent  by  Mr.  Ringer 
from  Nagasaki.  Capt.  Blakiston  has  obtained  it  also  in 
Yezo. 

o  2 


176  Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  the 

FULIGULA  FERINA. 

Capt.  Blakiston  lias  sent  an  examijle  of  the  Pocliard  from 
Hakodadi. 

Stercorarius  buffoni. 

An  example  (no.  2753)  collected  by  Mr.  Snow  in  the 
Kurile  Islands  is  correctly  identified. 

PUFFINUS  LEUCOMELAS. 

A  number  of  specimens  collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at 
Hakodadi  agree  with  the  plate  in  the  '  Fauna  Japonica.' 

PuFFINUS  CARNEIPES. 

Several  examples  collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at  Hakodadi 
appear  to  belong  to  this  species.  The  under  surface  of  the 
■wing  is  dark^  and  the  legs  and  feet  are  pinkish. 

DiOMEDEA  NIGRIPES. 

A  fine  adult  female  of  this  Albatross  shot  by  Mr.  H. 
Henson  on  the  17th  of  May  in  the  Strait  of  Tsugaru,  sepa- 
rating Yezo  from  the  main  island^  adds  another  species  to 
the  fauna  of  Japan.  It  differs  from  the  other  dark  Albatross 
from  Japan  (D.  derogata)  in  being  slightly  smaller^  in  having 
dark  instead  of  pale  legs  and  bill^  and  in  having  the  head 
much  paler  in  colour^  especially  round  the  base  of  the  bill. 
The  bill  is  also  smaller,  measuring  4^  inches  from  the  frontal 
feathers  instead  of  5  inches.  This  is  said  to  be  a  good  species, 
though  it  has  all  the  appearance  of  being  the  young  of  the 
nearly  white  Albatross  (D.  albatnis),  of  which  I  have  an 
adult  male  obtained  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at  Hakodadi  on  the 
4th  of  April,  which  agrees  in  dimensions  with  a  skin  in  the 
Swinhoe  collection  from  Amoy.  In  Mr.  Ringer's  collection 
is  also  an  example  of  D.  albatrus  from  Nagasaki. 

GOISACHIUS   MELANOLOPHUS. 

An  example  (No.  2714)  fi'om  the  main  island,  and  a  series 
of  examples  collected  by  Mr.  Ringer  at  Nagasaki,  belong  to 
this  species.     It  is  not  found  in  Yezo. 

ArDEA  SACRA. 

Two  Reef-Herons  from  the  islands  in  the  Straits  of  Corea 
probably  belong  to  this  species.     They  are  an  almost  uniform 


Ornithology  of  Japan.  177 

dark  slate-grey,  witli  a  narrow  streak  of  white  on  the  throat. 
They  measure: — wing  12-5,  ITO;  bill  in  front  3-6,  3-4; 
tarsus  3-5, 3-0 ;  mid-toe  without  claw  2*6,  2-4 ;  bare  portion  of 
tibia  1-6,  1-3.  The  range  of  this  species  appears  to  extend 
from  the  Andaman  Islands  eastwards  to  Burma,  the  Malay 
Archipelago,  Japan,  and  the  north-east  coasts  of  iVustralia, 
Almost  everywhere  it  seems  to  be  accompanied  by  a  white 
variety,  with  which  it  appears  to  interbreed,  producing  pie- 
bald examples.  It  is  said,  however,  that  in  South-east  Aus- 
tralia and  in  New  Zealand  the  slate-grey  form  alone  occurs. 
Both  forms,  however,  are  recorded  from  some  of  the  Pacific 
islands.  From  Ceylon  eastwards  as  far  as  "West  Africa  a 
very  nearly  allied  species,  A.  gularis,  is  found  in  both  the  slate- 
grey  and  white  forms.  It  is  said  to  differ  in  having  the  chin, 
throat,  and  sides  of  the  head  white,  and  in  being  a  somewhat 
larger  bird  ;  but  ornithologists  are  not  agreed  on  the  specific 
distinctions  between  these  species.  Examples  of  the  slate- 
grey  form  of  the  eastern  species  collected  by  Siebold  in  Japan 
are  recorded  by  Schlegel  (Mus.  Pays-Bas,  Ardese,  p.  27),  but 
no  mention  is  made  of  them  in  the  '  Fauna  Japonica.' 

Grus  cinerea. 

Of  the  six  Cranes  which  breed  in  Eastern  Siberia  five  are 
recorded  from  Japan.  Of  these,  only  four  appear  in  Tem- 
minck  and  SchlegcFs  '  Fauna  Japonica,'  the  Sacred  or 
Mantchurian  Crane  being  omitted,  no  doubt  for  the  very 
good  reason  that  the  Japanese  would  not  allow  Siebold  or  his 
collectors  to  procure  one.  The  Common  Crane  is  a  winter 
visitor  to  Japan,  but  many  only  pass  on  migration,  wintering 
still  further  south. 

Grus  leucogeranus. 

The  same  remarks  apply  to  the  Asiatic  White  Crane. 

Grus  leucauchen. 
Grus  antigone,  Linn,  apud  Pallas. 
Grus  vipio,  Pall,  apud  David  and  Oustalet. 
Grus  antigone  ?,  Linn,  apud  Blakiston  and  Pryer. 
The  White-naped  Crane  is  the  most  abundant  Crane  in 
Japan.     Mr.  Ringer  Las'  sent  two  skins  from  Nagasaki. 


178  Mr.  H.  S(>ebohm  on  the 

Grus  monachus. 

The  White-headed  Crane^,  according  to  I'Abbe  David,  breeds 
in  Japan.  Mr.  Ringer  has  sent  three  skins  collected  in 
Nagasaki. 

Grus  viridirostris. 

Grusjaponensis,  Briss. 

Grus  leucauchen,  Temm.  apud  Blakiston  and  Pryer. 

This  is  the  Sacred  Crane  of  the  Japanese.  It  is  probabJy 
only  a  winter  visitor  to  Japan,  and  the  acconnt  of  its  liubits 
in  that  island,  quoted  in  the  '  Natural  Histor}^  of  the  Cranes  ' 
by  Tegetmeier  from  Sir  Rutherford  Alcock,  refer  to  this 
species,  though  they  are  erroneously  ascribed  to  the  White- 
naped  Crane  by  Tegetmeier,  who  has  further  complicated 
the  subject  by  including  the  name  Grus  antigoyie,  Linn, 
apud  Pallas,  in  the  synonymy  of  both  the  White-naped  and 
Sarus  Cranes ;  and  that  of  Grus  japonensis,  Briss.,  in  the 
synonymy  both  of  the  White-naped  and  Mantchurian  Cranes. 
Mr.  Ringer  has  sent  an  example  of  the  Mantchurian  Crane 
from  Nagasaki. 

RhYNCHvEA  bengalensis. 

A  male  collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at  Hakodadi  on  the 
22nd  of  May  is  the  first  example  of  this  species  obtained  in 
Yezo. 

Gallicrex  cristata. 

An  example  of  this  species  collected  by  Mr.  Ringer  at 
Nagasaki  is  an  addition  to  the  Japanese  fauna. 

Gallinula  chloropus. 

An  example  (No.  3249)  from  Yokohama  agrees  with 
European  specimens. 

FULICA  atra. 

An  example  (No.  3248)  from  Yokohama,  and  an  example 
collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  at  Hakodadi,  agree  with  Euro- 
pean specimens. 

Otis  dybowskii. 

An  example  of  a  male  Bustard  collected  by  Mr.  Ringer  at 
Nagasaki    agrees    with    Taczanowsky's    description    of  the 


Ornithology  of  Japan.  179 

eastern  form  of  the  Great  Bustard,  It  is  somewhat  smaller 
than  the  western  bird,  the  bill  is  slightly  longer  and  more 
slender,  the  head  is  paler  in  colour,  and  the  lesser  wdng- 
coverts  are  grey,  like  the  gi-eater  and  median  wing-coverts, 
instead  of  being  mottled  with  brownish  buff  and  black,  like 
the  back.  Dybowsky  states  that  he  has  obtained  both  adult 
and  young  from  Dauria ;  and  what  seem  to  be  young  males 
of  the  western  form  in  the  Cambridge  Museum  have  the 
lesser  wing-coverts  coloured  as  in  the  adult,  so  that  it  would 
appear  that  the  species  is  distinct. 

Lagopus  rupestris  ? 

A  specimen  of  a  Ptarmigan  was  shot  by  Mr,  Snow  on  the 
nearest  of  the  Kurile  Islands  to  Kamtschatka,  which  is  pro- 
bably the  Rock-Ptarmigan.  It  is  pure  white,  except  the 
tail-feathers  and  the  lores,  which  are  black. 

COLUMBA  LIYIA, 

An  example  from  Nagasaki  is  darker  than  usual.  The 
Rock-Doves  of  Japan  may  be  escaped  birds  which  have  taken 
possession  of  the  caves  on  the  coast ;  they  occupy  all  the 
temples  in  Japan,  and  are  fed  by  tlie  devotees  of  Buddha. 

TURTUR  HUMILIS. 

An  example  sent  by  Mr.  Owston  was  obtained  from  a 
dealer  at  Yokohama,  and  was  said  to  have  been  shot  in  the 
neighbourhood. 

Carpophaga  ianthina. 

A  fine  example  collected  by  Mr.  Pryer  near  Yokohama 
agrees  with  the  figure  in  the  '  Fauna  Japonica.'  Two  examples 
collected  by  Mr.  Ringer  in  Nagasaki  are  now  in  the  British 
Museum . 

Iyngipicus  seebohmi,  Hargitt,  Ibis,  1884,  p.  100. 

Mr,  Oldfield  Thomas  has  kindly  compared  examples  of 
/,  kisuki  and  this  species  with  the  types  of  the  former  in 
the  Leyden  Museum,  and  assures  me  that  Temminck  and 
SchlegePs  bird  is  unquestionably  the  same  as  examples  col- 
lected by  Mr,  Ringer  near  Nagasaki  on  the  island  of 
Kiushiu. 


180  Mr.  II.  Seebohm  on  the 

Iynx  torquilla. 

An  example  of  this  species  (No.  1242)^  a  male  dated 
Hakodadi^  May,  was  identified  by  Swinhoe  (Ibis,  1874, 
p.  162)  as  hjnx  japonica.  A  careful  comparison  of  this  skin 
and  a  series  of  skins  from  South  China  with  European 
examples  fails  to  show  any  differences  either  of  colour  or 
size  which  are  not  common  to  eastern  as  Avell  as  western 
birds.  This  species  does  not  appear  to  present  any  climatic 
variations. 

Chelidon  dasypus. 

The  type  of  this  species  from  Borneo  in  the  Leyden 
Museum  has  been  compared  with  the  type  of  C.  b/akistoni 
from  Japan  by  Mr.  Sharpe,  who  pronounces  them  to  be 
identical.  Bonaparte's  name  will  probably  be  the  one 
adopted  by  ornithologists. 

COIIVUS   NEGLECTUS. 

An  example  in  the  collection  of  Captain  Blakiston 
(No.  2701),  obtained  at  Osaka,  in  the  southern  portion  of 
the  main  island  of  Japan,  appears  to  belong  to  an  intermediate 
form  between  Corvus  dauricus  and  C.  negledus. 

Xanthopygia  cyanomel^na. 

Capt.  Blakiston  has  pointed  out  to  me  a  most  unaccount- 
able blunder  in  the  British  Museum  Catalogue  of  Birds 
(iv.  p.  251),  with  reference  to  the  female  of  this  species. 
Four  examples  collected  by  Mr.  H.  Henson  near  Hakodadi, 
and  a  fifth  example  from  Canton  in  the  Swinhoe  collection, 
agree  with  the  plate  and  description  of  Miiscicapa  gularis  of 
the  '  Fauna  Japonica/  a  name  which  Mr.  Sharpe  includes  in 
the  synonymy  of  J\'.  cyanomehena,  admitting  it  to  be  the  female 
of  that  species.  Nevertheless  in  the  description  a  young 
male  is  erroneously  described  as  the  female.  The  latter 
differs  in  having  no  trace  of  blue  on  any  part  of  the  plu- 
mage, and  no  white  on  the  base  of  the  tail-feathers.  The 
pale  tips  to  the  greater  wing-coverts  and  innermost  secon- 
daries betray  the  immature  birds  at  a  glance.  It  appears  to 
me  that  the  plumage  described  by  Mr.  Sharpe  as  belonging  to 
the  adult  female  is  that  of  the  young  male  in  first  plumage. 


Ornithology  of  Japan.  181 

of  which  I  have  seen  no  skins  dated  later  than  October. 
Spring  examples  of  males  of  the  year  only  differ  from  adults 
in  having  the  pale  tips  to  the  greater  wing-coverts  and  inner- 
most secondaries.  The  greenish-blue  and  purplish-blue  fore- 
heads and  crowns  are  found  in  both  adults  and  males  of 
the  year. 

MoTACILLA  BLAKISTONI. 
MOTACILLA  AMURENSIS. 

Capt.  Blakiston  now  regards  these  two  forms  as  adult  and 
young  of  one  species,  and  I  feel  very  much  inclined  to  agree 
with  him.  The  fact  that  the  geographical  distribution  of 
the  two  forms,  so  far  as  it  is  known,  coincides,  is  of  itself 
strong  presumptive  evidence  that  both  belong  to  one  species. 
On  this  hypothesis  M.  amurensis  can  only  be  the  bird  of  the 
year  of  M.  blakistoni.  One  must  lay  the  blame  of  having 
committed  the  blunder  of  separating  them  upon  somebody  ; 
and  we  propose  to  ascribe  it  to  the  complete  ignorance  of, 
and  apparent  indifference  to,  the  facts  connected  with  the 
moulting  of  birds  displayed  by  all  English  ornithologists. 
Wagtails  appear  to  have  a  complete  moult,  which  includes 
their  wing  and  tail-feathers,  in  their  first  autumn.  M.japo- 
nica  moults  at  once  into  its  adult  plumage.  M.  amurensis 
appears  to  have  an  intermediate  stage  between  the  young  in 
first  plumage  and  the  adult  after  the  second  autumn  moult. 
In  the  adult  plumage  I  have  described  the  bird  as  M.  blakis- 
toni. In  spring  a  partial  moult  takes  place  :  all  the  small 
feathers  of  the  bird  of  the  year  are  moulted  into  the  summer 
plumage  of  the  adult,  but  the  wing-  and  tail-feathers  are  not 
changed.  In  this  stage  I  have  described  the  bird  as  M. 
amurensis  in  adult  spring  plumage.  This  hypothesis  leaves, 
however,  two  difficulties,  which  may  be  explained  as  follows : — 
The  amount  of  white  on  the  wing  of  birds  of  the  year  must 
vary  so  much  that  what  I  have  taken  to  be  birds  of  the  year 
of  M.  blakistoni  are  really  only  birds  of  the  year  in  which 
the  plumage  is  more  adult  than  usual.  We  must  also  as- 
sume that  the  amount  of  black  on  the  head  varies  to  a  still 
greater  extent,  so  that  the  birds  with  black  heads  which  I 


182  Mr.  H.  Scebolim  un  the 

have  regarded  as  adult  male  M.  amurensis  in  winter  plumage 
after  the  second  moult  are  really  birds  of  the  year  which 
have  only  moulted  once,  but  for  some  cause  or  other  have 
the  black  on  the  head  almost  as  pronounced  as  in  the  adult. 
This  variation  in  the  plumage  of  birds  of  the  year,  especially 
in  those  which  have  two  broods,  is  by  no  means  a  new  fact 
in  ornithology.  Probably  the  young  of  the  first  broods 
moult  in  autumn  into  a  plumage  more  nearly  approaching 
that  of  the  adult  bird  than  that  assumed  by  the  young  of 
the  second  broods.  This  conclusion  is  confirmed  by  a  male 
in  my  collection  obtained  by  Mr.  Whitely  at  Hakodadi,  on 
the  17th  of  April,  which  is  in  the  adult  spring  plumage  of 
M.  amurensis,  except  the  first  primary  of  the  right  wing, 
which  is  in  the  adult  plumage  of  M.  blakistoni.  This  might 
be  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that  the  first  primary 
had  been  injured  during  the  winter,  and  had  been  replaced 
at  the  spring  moult  by  a  feather  of  the  adult  plumage. 

Erithacus  cyaneus. 

An  example  (No.  1267)  from  Hakodadi  is  an  adult  male 
of  this  species  collected  in  May.  A  skin  (No.  3225)  col- 
lected by  Mr.  Jouy  in  the  middle  of  the  main  island  in 
August  has  scarcely  moulted  its  first  plumage,  and  shows 
traces  of  dark  terminal  bars  on  the  feathers  of  the  throat 
and  breast,  which  are  sufi'used  with  buft\  The  greater  wing- 
coverts  have  chestnut  tips. 

Erithacus  calliope. 

Several  skins  of  this  species  have  been  sent  by  Capt. 
Blakiston  from  Yezo. 

Emberiza  spodocephala. 

This  species,  which  is  very  common  in  China,  was  first 
recorded  from  Japan  in  '  The  Chrysanthemum  '  for  April 
1883,  by  Capt.  Blakiston,  from  a  specimen  collected  near 
Tokio  in  January  by  Mr.  P.  L.  Jouy,  and  now  in  the  Smith- 
sonian Museum.  I  have  examined  this  skin  and  find  it  to 
be  an  adult  male  with  slate-grey  throat  and  breast.  The 
adult  male  o^  the  nearly  allied  Japanese  species,  E.  per  sonata, 
is  easily  distinguished  by  the  clear  yellow  of  the  underparts 


"^  CEHT^AL  PARK,'^i^^ 


^^.^nvyoR,(. 


CO 


& 


Ornithologij  of  Japan.  183 

below  the  chin.  Females  and  immature  males  are  sometimes 
difficult  to  distinguish,  but  in  E.  personata  the  underparts 
are  generally  a  much  brighter  yellow.  The  latter  species 
has  not  been  found  in  China. 

Strix  rufescens. 

Three  examples  from  Nagasaki  of  this  variety  of  S.  ura- 
lensis  are  so  dark  and  rufous  as  to  appear  specifically  distinct. 
The  lighter  bars  across  the  first  primary  and  the  two  centre 
tail-feathers  are  almost  obsolete.  This  form  probably  re- 
places S.  uralensis  in  the  main  and  south  islands  of  Japan. 

Bubo  blakistoni,  Seebohm,  antea,  p.  4.2.  (Plate  VI.) 
An  immature  example  of  an  Owl  obtained  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Shanghai  by  Mons.  Heude  is  in  the  museum 
of  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  at  Paris.  It  was  determined 
by  Mr.  Sharjje  (Ibis,  1875,  p.  255)  as  Bubo  coromandus,  and 
adult  examples  since  received  from  the  valley  of  the  Yang- 
tse-kiang  have  confirmed  his  decision.  It  had  been  de- 
scribed as  Bubo  sinensis  (Heude,  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.  Paris,  ser.  5, 
XX.  article  2),  a  name  apparently  taken  from  Daudin  (Traite 
d^Orn.  ii.  p.  209),  who  appears  to  have  founded  it  upon  an 
Eagle-Owl  from  China,  which  Manduyt  (Encycl.  Meth.  Orn, 
ii.  p.  73)  says  differs  from  our  bird,  but  does  not  state  in 
what  respect.  This  bird  is  perfectly  distinct  from  the  Japan 
Eagle-Owl,  Bubo  blaJdstoni,  of  which  a  figure  (Plate  YI.)  is 
now  given. 

Pandion  haliaetus. 

Two  examples  of  this  bird,  one  a  female  from  Hakodadi 
(No.  2061)  obtained  in  October,  and  the  other  obtained  by 
Mr.  Ringer  at  Nagasaki,  agree  in  size  with  the  typical 
form,  and  measure  19h  and  19  inches  in  length  of  wing. 

Aquila  pelagica. 

A  fine  example,  not  quite  adult,  of  this  magnificent  Eagle 
from  the  eastern  part  of  Yezo  shows  the  enormous  deve- 
lopment of  bill  in  this  species,  the  height  of  the  bill  being 
greater  than  that  of  the  skull.  It  also  confirms  the  inter- 
esting fact,  pointed  out  by  Baird,  Brewer,  and  Ridgway,  that 
this  species  has  fourteen  tail-feathers. 


184  Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  the 

XIX. — On  the  East-Asiatic  Shore-Lark  (Otocorys  longi- 
rostris).     By  Henry  Seebohm. 

Otocoris  longirostris ,  Gould_,  fide  Moore^  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. 
1855,  p.  215  (India). 

Otocorys  peniciltata,  Gould,  apud  Swinhoe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. 

1862,  p.  318  (China) . 

Otocorys  alpestris,  Linn,  apud  Swinlioe,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc. 

1863,  p.  272  (China). 

Otocoris  albiffula, Brandt,  apud  Dy  bow  ski,  Journ.  Orn.  1868, 
p.  334  (Dauria). 

Otocorys  sibirica,  Eversmann,  fide  Swinlioe,  Proc. Zool, Soc. 
1871,  p.  390  (China). 

Otocoris  elwesii,  Blanford,  Journ.  As.  Soc.  Bang.  1872, 
p.  62  (Himalayas). 

Otocorys  alpestris,  Linn,  apud  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  iv.  p.  392 
(1874)  (China). 

Otocorys p)enicillata,  Gould,  apud  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  iv,  p.  397 
(1874)  (India). 

Otocorys  hrandti,  Dresser,  B.  Eur.  iv.  p,  401  (1874)  (Kir- 
ghis  steppes). 

Otocorys  parvexi,  Taczan.  Bull.  Soc,  Zool,  France,  1876, 
p.  161  (Dauria). 

Otocoris  nigrifrons,  Prjevalski,  Mongolia  and  Thibet,  ii. 
p.  103  (1876)  (Mongolia), 

Otocorys  sibirica,  Swinli,,  David  &  Oust.  Ois.  de  la  Chine, 
p.  316  (1876)  (China). 

Habitat.  A  resident  in  Turkestan,  the  Himalayas,  the 
Altai  Mountains,  Dauria,  and  Mongolia,  occasionallj'^  wan- 
dering in  winter  into  North  China  ■^,  North  India,  and  South- 
east Russia. 

The  evolution  of  order  out  o£  chaos  has  the  same  charms 
for  the  ornithologist  that  the  putting  together  of  a  puzzle 
has  for  a  schoolboy.     As  an  example  of  chaos  let  us  take  the 

*  A  specimen  in  Canon  Tristram's  possession,  said  to  be  from  Pekin, 
and  once  in  the  Swinhoe  collection,  is  a  winter  example  (shot  12th 
Dec.  186.3)  of  O.  cdpestris.  David  and  Oustalet  give  the  range  of  the  two 
Bpecies  very  correctly. 


East-Asiatic  Shore-Lark.  185 

portions  of  the  articles  on  the  Shore-Larks  in  Dresser's 
'  Birds  of  Europe '  referring  to  the  species  the  name  of 
which  heads  the  present  article.  To  this  the  same  author 
has  added  an  appropriate  climax  in  his  letter  on  the  subject 
(Ibis,  1884-,  p.  116).  As  an  example  of  order,  I  venture  to 
refer  to  the  synonymy  and  geographical  distribution  copied 
at  the  head  of  this  article  from  my  '  History  of  British  Birds/ 
ii.  p.  286*.  I  must  do  Mr.  Dresser  the  justice  to  say  that 
in  the  letter  already  mentioned  he  admits  his  error  (long  ago 
pointed  out  by  Blanford  and  Scully)  in  uniting  0.  longiros- 
tris  with  0.  penicillata ;  but  in  doing  so  he  appears  to  imply 
that  the  rest  of  his  work  was  free  from  important  blunders, 
and  does  not  deserve  the  mild  censure  which  I  applied  to  it. 
He  has  apparently  forgotten  that  in  the  'Birds  of  Europe' 
(iv.  p.  398)  he  says  that  0.  penicillata  ''^  extends  east- 
wards into  North  China,''  and  contradicts  himself  on  page 
397,  where  he  says  that  an  example  in  the  Swinhue  collec- 
tion from  Tientsin  is  a  long-billed  form  of  0.  brandti,  a 
statement  which  is  quite  correct.  But  on  page  392  he  had  re- 
ferred the  very  same  skin  to  O.  alpestris.  Which  of  the  three 
species  does  he  really  think  it  belongs  to  ?  His  treatment 
of  O.  elwesi  is  equally  capricious.  On  page  395  he  identifies 
it  with  0.  penicillata ;  but  on  page  401  he  refers  it  to  0.  al- 
pestris. Unfortunately  both  these  identifications  are  wrong. 
O.  elwesi  is  unquestionably  a  somewhat  small  form  of  0.  lon- 
girostris.  Of  his  blunder  respecting  the  latter  species  little 
need  be  said,  as  he  has  recanted  it ;  but  his  statement  on 
page  401  that  the  series  of  Shore-Larks  in  the  Gould  col- 
lection from  Kulu  (one  of  which  is  the  type  of  O.  longirostris) 
all  show  the  black  on  the  breast  united  Avith  that  on  the 
neck  is  utterly  inexplicable.  The  fact  is  that  not  one  of 
them  does  so,  as  any  one  may  now  see  in  the  British -Museum 
collection ;  neither  does  the  example  depicted  in  the  P.  Z.  S. 
by  no  less  an  artist  than  Wolf.  We  now  come  to  the 
most  ''egregious  blunder"  of  all.      On  page  397  Dresser 

*  I  have  added  to  the  synonymy  the  catalogue  of  Swiuhoe's  and  Dres- 
ser's blunders,  which  I  purposely  omitted  in  my  book,  not  wishing  to  call 
special  attention  to  their  number  and  importance. 


186  Mr.  H.  Seebolim  on  the 

comes  to  the  conclusion  that  the  pale  southern  ally  of  0.  al- 
pestris  with  the  white  throat  has  not  got  a  name,  and  pro- 
poses for  it  that  of  O.  hrandti.  On  page  398  he  gives  its 
geographical  distribution  as  '^probably  restricted  to  the 
steppes  of  Southern  Russia."  Nevertheless  it  is  a  most 
remarkable  fact  that  Dresser's  '  Birds  of  Europe '  does  not 
contain  an  article  on  a  bird  named  by  Dresser  himself  and 
supposed  by  him  to  be  confined  to  Europe.  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  the  type  appears  to  be  a  Sarepta  skin,  and  there  is 
also  a  skin  from  Astrakan  in  the  British  Museum ;  but  the 
latter  has  only  recently  been  added  to  the  national  col- 
lection'^. 

I  doubt  if  a  more  puzzling  bit  of  ornithological  chaos 
than  this  could  be  found  anywhere.  It  took  me  a  week's 
hard  work  to  unravel  it ;  but  by  a  careful  measurement  and 
comparison  of  all  the  skins  in  my  own  collection  and  in  that 
of  the  British  Museum,  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  O. 
longirostris  was  a  pale  subtropical  ally  or  representative  of 
O.  alpestris,  which  ranges  across  Central  Asia  from  the  basin 
of  the  Caspian  to  Mongolia,  extending  northwards  through 
the  Altai  Mountains  to  Dauria,  and  southwards  into  the 
Himalayas.  O.  alpestris  is  a  bird  of  the  tundra,  whilst  O. 
longirostris  is  a  bird  of  the  steppes,  and  breeds  from  one  to 
two  thousand  miles  south  of  its  arctic  ally.  The  differences 
in  size  in  the  latter  species  at  first  puzzled  me,  but  by  com- 
paring measurements  of  skins  from  different  localities  I  came 
to  the  conclusion,  to  which  I  still  adhere,  that  0.  hrandti 
and  0.  longirostris  cannot  be  separated  ;  they  are,  in  fact, 
united  by  0.  elwesij-.  as  Dresser  might  possibly  have  observed 

*  Fiusch,  in  his  account  of  tlae  Shore-Larks  found  by  him  in  South- 
west Siberia,  states  positively  that  the  black  on  the  breast  joins  that  on 
the  cheeks  ;  but  in  two  examples  from  his  collection,  now  in  the  British 
Museum,  this  is  not  the  case.  He  probably  got  both  species,  as  Severtzow 
also  obtained  both  in  North-west  Turkestan. 

t  Severtzow  at  first  separated  O.  hrandti  of  North-west  Turkestan 
from  O.  lomfirostris  of  East  Turkestan  (Ibis,  187G,  p.  181)  ;  but  later 
he  apparently  united  them,  for  in  his  "  Birds  of  the  Pamir  "  (Ibis,  1883, 
p.  61)  he  speaks  only  of  O.  elwesi,  adding  that  "  in  the  Pamir  a  subspecies 
with  a  rather  long  beak  predominates,  but  this  ditierence  is  neither  con- 
siderable nor  constant." 


East-Asiatic  Shore-Lark.  187 

if  he  had  taken  the  trouble  to  examine  the  material  which 
has  "come  to  light  ""^  since  he  wrote  his  articles  in  the  'Birds 
of  Europe.'  It  seems  to  me  that  when  the  facts  respect- 
ing them  are  known,  no  "unbiassed  ornithologist''  can 
doubt  that  these  three  forms  all  belong  to  one  species.  All 
three  forms  occur  both  in  Turkestan  and  in  the  Himalayas, 
and  are  connected  together  by  a  series  of  intermediate  forms, 
so  that  the  division  into  two  or  three  is  a  perfectly  arbitrary 
one.  I  have  only  been  able  to  get  the  measurements  of  three 
Mongolian  skins;  but  as  one  of  these  is  of  the  small  form,  one 
somewhat  larger,  and  the  third  of  the  large  form,  there  cannot 
be  much  doubt  that  the  variation  in  Mongolian  forms  is  the 
same.  Precisely  the  same  variation  of  size,  both  of  wings 
and  bill,  occurs  in  O.  penicillata,  so  that  if  there  are  two  or 
three  species  of  Eastern  Asiatic  Shore-Larks,  there  must 
also  be  the  same  of  Western  Asiatic  Shore-Larks.  The 
amount  of  black  at  the  base  of  the  upper  mandible  varies  also 
irrespective  of  locality,  and  the  variation  is  also  found  to 
nearly  the  same  extent  in  0.  penicillata.  The  width  of  the 
white  band  which  separates  the  black  of  the  neck  from  the 
black  of  the  breast  seems  to  depend  entirely  ou  the  make  up 
of  the  skin.  If  the  neck  is  stretched  it  looks  broad,  but  if 
it  is  made  up  short  it  of  course  looks  narrow.  Winter  skins 
show  more  white  on  the  neck  and  forehead,  because  at  that 
season  many  of  the  black  feathers  have  pale  tips,  which  are 
cast  in  spring.  None  of  the  characters  pointed  out  appear 
to  me  to  be  of  the  slightest  specific,  or  even  subspecific, 
value,  because  they  are  not  confined  to  birds  from  any  one 
locality,  nor  are  they  confined  to  one  species  only,  but 
appear  to  be  individual  variations  common  to  the  genus 
Dresser  appears  to  be  shocked  at  a  ditference  of  '8  inch  in 
the  length  of  wing  in  one  species,  though  he  admits  a  similar 
dift'erence  in  his  skins  of  O.  penicillata,  and  both  he  and  I 
agree  to  a  variation  of  a  whole  inch  in  the  length  of  wiog  of 
the  Common  Sky-Lark.  Difference  of  size,  where  it  is  co- 
existent with  difference  of  geographical  distribution,  may 
warrant  subspecific  distinction  ;  but  where  nature  has  not 
drawn  a  geographical  distinction  most  ornithologists  are  con- 


188  On  the  East-  Asiatic  Shore-Lark. 

tent  to  allow   difference  of  size  to  be  regarded  as  an  indi- 
vidual peculiarity. 

The  Common  or  Arctic  Shore-Lark  is  a  circumpolar  bird^ 
being  found  on  the  arctic  prairies  of  America,  as  well  as  on 
the  fjelds  of  Lapland  and  the  tundra  of  Siberia.  Two  other 
species  or  subspecies  of  Shore-Larks  occur  in  the  American 
continent ;  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  see  a  large  enough 
series  to  speak  positively  concerning  them.  So  far  as  I  am 
able  to  judge,  Dresser's  treatment  of  the  American  Shore- 
Larks  is  quite  as  careless  as  his  work  on  the  Asiatic  species 
of  this  group.  He  represents  O.  alpestris  as  breeding 
throughout  North  America,  the  only  other  American  species 
in  his  opinion  being  O.  peregrina  from  Bogota.  Both  these 
statements  appear  to  me  to  be  entirely  wrong,  and  contrary 
to  the  evidence  so  carefully  collected  by  Messrs.  Baird, 
Brewer,  and  Ridgway.  It  appears  to  me  that,  in  addition  to 
O.  alpestris,  which  breeds  in  the  arctic  regions  of  both 
continents,  probably  never  below  the  limits  of  forest-growth, 
there  is  on  the  American  continent  a  southern  form,  O.  occi- 
dentalis,  breeding  on  the  plains  of  the  upper  valley  of  the 
Mississippi  and  the  valley  of  the  Missouri,  which,  like  0. 
longirostris,  has  the  throat  white  instead  of  yellow.  The 
alleged  intermediate  forms  between  it  and  its  southern  ally 
I  imagine  to  be  either  birds  of  the  year  of  the  southern 
species  or  faded  summer  examples  of  the  northern  species. 
In  what  respect  0.  occidentalis  differs  from  O.  longirostris  I 
am  unable  to  say.  The  third  American  species  is  0.  chry- 
solcema  (of  which  O.  peregrina  is  doubtless  a  synonym).  This 
bird  is  a  tropical  form  of  0.  alpestris,  and  is  a  resident  in 
Mexico  and  some  of  the  adjoining  United  States,  its  range 
extending  southwards  into  the  extreme  north-west  of  South 
America.  It  is  said  to  differ  from  its  arctic  ally  in  being 
smaller  and  richer  in  colour,  the  yellow  on  the  throat  being 
even  more  brilliant  than  in  the  arctic  species. 


On  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Genus  Miglyptes.  189 

XX. — Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VI.    On  the  Genus 
Miglyptes.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S. 

Although  only  four  species  of  this  genus  are  known,  con- 
fined to  the  Indo-Malayan  subregion  and  the  Burmese 
countries,  there  has  been  great  confusion  in  their  synonymy, 
and  I  have  endeavoured  in  the  present  paper  to  show  the 
characters  of  all  these  four  species  and  to  disentangle  their 
somewhat  complicated  literature.  The  material  upon  which 
this  paper  is  based  is  contained  in  the  collections  of  the 
British  and  Leyden  Museums,  as  well  as  in  my  own  collec- 
tion and  that  of  Captain  Wardlaw  Ramsay. 

Key  to  the  Species. 

a.  Mantle  .and  upper  back  barred. 

a'.  Lower  back  and  rump  creamy  white. 

a".  Centre  of  breast  and  abdomen  uniform  black  .     trtstis. 

b".  Breast  and  abdomen  with  fulvous  cross  bars  . .     (jrammithorax. 
h' .  Lower  back  and  rump  barred  like  the  mantle    .  .      tukki. 

b.  Mantle  and  upper  back  uniform  black  ;  rump  creamy 

white  ;  breast  and  abdomen  uniform  black jiigularis. 

1.  Miglyptes  tristis. 

Picus  tristis,  Horsf.  Trans.  Linn.  Soc.  xiii.  p.  177  (1822) ; 
Giebel  (pt.),  Thes.  Orn.  p.  183  (1876). 

Picus  poicilolophus,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  iv.  pi.  cxcvii.  fig.  1 
(1823) ;  Wagler  (pt.),  Sysi.  Av.  sp.  68  (1827)  ;  Cuvier,  Regn. 
Anim.  1829,  p.  451. 

Meiglyptes  poici/ophus,  Swains.  Classif.  B.  ii.  p.  309 
(1837). 

Meiglyptes  tristis,  Gray,  List  Gen.  1810,  p.  55  ;  id.  Gen. 
B.  ii.  p.  447  (1846);  Blyth  (pt.).  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc. 
1849,  p.  60;  Bp.  (pt.)  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  112  (1850); 
id.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854)  ;  Reichenb.  (pt.) 
Handb.  Scans.  Picinje,  p.  402,  pis.  dclvii.  figs.  4370,  4371 
(1854)  ;  Horsf.  &  Moore  (pt.),  Cat.  B.  Mus.  E.I.  Co.  ii. 
p.  668  (1856-58)  ;  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  123 
(1868) ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8838  (1870)  ;  Nichol- 
son, Ibis,  1879,  p.  164;  id.  op.  cit.  1881,  p.  141. 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  P 


190  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

Phaiopicos  tristis,  Malil.  N.  Classif,  Mem.  Acad.  Metz, 
18i8-49,  p.  338. 

Phaiopicus  tristis,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  10_,  pi.  xlviii. 
figs.  1,  2  (1862). 

Picus  tristis,   var.   a,   Sundev.    Consp.   Av.   Picin.    p.   91 
(1866). 

Mighjptes  tristis,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  497  (note). 
Adult  male.  Upper  and  middle  back,  scapulars,  and 
wing-coverts  black,  narrowly  barred  witb  bufty  white; 
bastard-wing  and  primary-coverts  black,  spotted  with  buffy 
white;  quills  black,  spotted  with  bufFy  white  upon  both 
webs,  the  innermost  being  barred  with  the  same  across  both 
webs ;  shafts  black ;  lower  back  and  rump  buffy  white,  the 
former  with  a  few  dusky  cross-markings ;  upper  tail-coverts 
black,  narrowly  barred  with  buffy  white ;  tail  black,  with  buffy 
white  spots  upon  both  webs ;  shafts  black ;  lores,  entire  head 
and  crest,  sides  of  the  neck,  chin,  and  throat  black,  finely 
vermiculated  with  buify  white ;  a  small  red  malar  patch ; 
under  surface  of  the  body  black,  the  sides  of  the  body,  flanks, 
and  thighs  barred  with  buffy  white ;  under  tail-coverts  black, 
narrowly  barred  with  bufly  white;  under  wing-coverts  and 
axillaries  buffy  white.  Total  length  6  inches,  culmen  0*85, 
wing  3  7,  tail  1*95,  tarsus  0*7;  toes  (without  claws) — outer 
anterior  0"6,  outer  posterior  0'55,  inner  anterior  0*4,  inner 
posterior  0"28. 

Adult  female.  Resembling  the  adult  male,  but  wanting  the 
red  malar  patch.  Total  length  5'8  inches,  culmen  0'75, 
wing  3-6,  tail  1*7,  tarsus  0'65. 

This  species  (the  types  of  which,  procured  by  Horsfield, 
are  in  the  British  Museum)  is  confined  exclusively  to  the 
island  of  Java,  whence  specimens  have  been  forwarded  by 
Messrs.  E.  C.  Buxton  and  H.  O.  Forbes.  It  is  apparently 
a  rare  bird,  or,  perhaps,  one  difficult  to  obtain,  as  but  few 
examples  are  to  be  found  in  museums.  It  may  at  once  be 
distinguished  from  M.  grammithorax  of  INIalherbe,  wdth 
which  it  has  often  been  confounded,  by  its  uniform  black 
breast  and  abdomen.  When  Lord  Walden  published  his 
paper  "  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Northern  Borneo " 


of  the  Genus  Miglyptes.  191 

('Ibis/  1872),  it  appears  to  me  that  he  had  not  seen  the 
true  M.  tristis  of  Horsfield  from  Java,  and  that  he  con- 
sidered the  dark-breasted  birds  received  by  him  from  Si- 
munjon  and  Banjerraassing  to  be  referable  to  that  species. 
Lord  Walden  was  certainly  right  in  regarding  these  specimens 
as  immature ;  but  the  slightly  darker  underparts  exhibited 
in  the  immature  of  M.  grammithorax  are  totally  distinct  from 
the  entirely  black  breast  and  abdomen  possessed  by  the  Javan 
bird.  Mr.  F.  Nicholson  C  Ibis/  1879,  p.  164)  has,  in  my 
opinion,  clearly  shown  that  M.  tristis,  from  Java,  and  M. 
grammithorax,  inhabiting  Southern  Tenasserim,  the  Malayan 
peninsula,  Sumatra,  and  Borneo,  are  both  good  and  valid 
species.  My  descriptions  are  taken  from  a  pair  of  birds  in 
the  Leyden  Museum. 

2.  Miglyptes  grammithorax. 

PicM,9^joi«/o/o/*/m5(nonTemm.),Less.Traite,p.  221  (1831). 

Hemicircus  tristis,  Eyt^n,  P.  Z.  S.  1839,  p.  106. 

Meiglyptes  tristis  (pt.),  Blyth,  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc. 
p.  60  (1849)  ;  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  112  (1850)  ;  id. 
Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854) ;  Eeichenb.  Handb.  Scans. 
Picinffi,  p.  402,  pis.  dclvii.  figs.  4370,  4371  (1854). 

Meiglyptes  tristis  (non  Horsf.),  Wald.  Ibis,  1872,  p.  365  ; 
Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  56  (1874)  ;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1874,  p.  471 ; 
id.  op.  cit.  1875,  p.  324;  Blyth  &  Wald.  B.  Burm.  p.  77 
(1875)  ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S.  1875,  p.  103;  id.  Ibis,  1876,  p.  36 ; 
Tweedd.  op.  cit.  1877,  p.  290  ;  BrLigg.  Abhandl.  nat.  Ver, 
Bremen,  v.  p.  455  (1877)  ;  Hume  &  Davison,  Str.  F.  1878, 
vi.  pp.  131  and  501;  Hume,  op.  cit.  1879,  p.  52;  Sharpe, 
Ibis,  1879,  p.  243;  Salvad.  Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Genov.  xiv. 
p.  184  (1879)  ;  Kelham,  Ibis,  1881,  p.  388 ;  Sharpe,  P.  Z.  S. 
1881,  p.  792;  Nicholson,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  55;  Salvin,  Cat. 
Stricld.  Coll.  p.  402  (1882);  Miiller,  Orn.  Salanga,  p.  72 
(1882). 

Phaiopicus  grammithorax,  Mahl.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  12, 
pi.  xlviii.  figs.  4,  5  (1862). 

Picus  tristis,  var.  b,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  92 
(1866). 

p2 


192  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

Me'tglyptes  grammithorax,  Grray,  List  Picid.  Brit.  Mus. 
p.  121  (1868);  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.'  p.  203.  no.  8839  (1870); 
Gates,  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  59  (1883). 

Miglyptes  tristis  (non  Horsf.),  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  87. 

Miglyptes  grammithorax,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  497 
(note). 

Adult  male.  Mantle  and  scapulars  black,  narrowly  barred 
with  buffy  white;  wing-coverts  black,  barred  and  spotted 
with  buffy  white,  these  markings  having  an  irregular  and 
broken  appearance  ;  bastard-wing  black,  spotted  with  white  ; 
edge  of  wing  buft'y  white;  primary- coverts  black;  quills 
black,  spotted  upon  both  webs  with  buffy  white,  the  inner- 
most barred  across  both  webs  with  the  same ;  shafts  black ; 
lower  back  and  rump  buffy  white;  upper  tail-coverts  black, 
narrowly  barred  with  buffy  white ,  tail-feathers  black,  spotted 
with  buffy  white  upon  both  webs,  the  dwarf  one  having  the 
tip  white  and  the  spots  almost  forming  a  bar ;  shafts  black  ; 
lores,  space  round  the  eye,  and  chin  buff ;  entire  head, 
neck,  and  chest  finely  vermiculated  with  black  and  buffy 
white  (on  the  face  more  of  a  buff),  these  markings  being 
very  fine  upon  the  face  and  throat,  becoming  broader  lower 
down,  the  whole  presenting  a  grey  appearance ;  a  dull  red 
malar  patch;  underparts  more  broadly  barred  with  black 
and  buffy  white  than  the  chest ;  a  uniform  stripe  of  dusky 
brown  running  down  the  middle  of  the  abdomen;  under 
tail-coverts  resembling  the  under  surface  of  the  body,  but 
the  black  markings  more  crescent-shaped ;  under  wing- 
coverts  and  axillaries  uniform  buffy  white.  Total  length 
6  inches,  culmen  0-75,  wing  3*55,  tail  1*75,  tarsus  0*7;  toes 
(without  claws) — outer  anterior  0-52,  outer  posterior  055, 
inner  anterior  0*35,  inner  posterior  0*22. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  the  absence  of 
the  red  malar  patch.  Total  length  5-8  inches,  culmen  0-75, 
wing  3'47,  tail  1*65,  tarsus  0-7.  Mr.  Davison  gives  the  soft 
parts  as  follows  : — "  Legs  and  feet  dirty,  dingy,  or  glaucous 
green  ;  claws  j)lumbeous ;  bill  black  ;  edge  of  eyelids  black ; 
irides  in  about  half  the  specimens  of  each  sex  deep  brown, 
in  the  other  half  dull  red." 


of  the  Genus  Miglyptes.  193 

Immature  male.  Differing  from  the  adult  in  having  the 
black  portions  of  the  plumage  less  intense,  and  the  light  por- 
tions buff  or  pale  brown ;  malar  patch  dull  red ;  the  stripe 
down  the  middle  of  the  abdomen  dusky  brown.  (Mount 
Ophir,  Malacca  :  August  14th.) 

Immature  female.  Resembling  the  immature  male,  but 
wanting  the  red  malar  patch.  (Mount  Ophir,  Malacca : 
August  14th.) 

The  descriptions  of  the  immature  birds  are  taken  from 
specimens  in  the  collection  of  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay.  The 
female  in  the  brown  or  young  stage  is  assuming  the  adult 
grey  plumage,  by  moult,  the  change  commencing  on  the 
head.  The  soft  parts  are  given  as  follows  : — "  Iris  dark  lake, 
bill  black,  legs  greenish  "  {R.  G.  W.  R.).  The  male,  shot  by 
the  same  naturalist  on  the  same  date,  is  still  in  the  brown 
stage ;  the  soft  parts  are.  given  as  follows  : — "  Iris  dark 
brown,  bill  black,  legs  greenish  "  {R.  G.  TV.  R.) . 

Malherbe  was  the  first  author  to  recognize  the  distinctness 
of  this  species  from  M.  tristis  of  Java ;  and  it  is  surprising 
to  find  that  since  the  publication  of  Malherbe^s  description 
of  M.  grammithorax  so  many  naturalists  should  have  per- 
sisted in  calling  the  Malaccan  bird  M.  tristis.  This  can 
only  be  accounted  for  by  the  rarity  of  M.  tristis  for  compa- 
rison. Malherbe's  species  may  easily  be  distinguished  from 
the  Javan  bird  by  its  fulvous-barred  underparts,  Mr.  Davi- 
son obtained  it  in  the  southern  portion  of  Tenasserim,  and 
the  ITume  collection  contains  specimens  from  Hankachin 
and  Bankasoon  :  it  is  found  throughout  the  Malayan  penin- 
sula; also  in  the  island  of  Salanga  (Miiller)  ;  and  Messrs. 
Wallace  and  H.  O.  Forbes  procured  examples  in  Sumatra; 
it  likewise  forms  part  of  most  collections  sent  from  Borneo, 
where  it  would  appear  to  be  tolerably  plentiful. 

3.  Miglyptes  tukki. 

Picus  tukki,  Less.  Rev.  Zool.  1839,  p.  167. 

Hemicercus  brunneus,  Eyton,  P.  Z.  S.  1839,  p.  106. 

Picus  luridus,  Nitzsch,  Pteryl.  p.  137  (1840). 

Meiglyptes   brunneus,    Hartl.    Syst.    Verz.    Mus.    Hamb. 


194  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

p.  93  (1844);  Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  447  (1846);  Bonap. 
Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  113  (1850)  ;  Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cat.  B. 
Mus.  E.L  Co.  ii.  p.  G68.  no.  976  (1856-58) ;  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S. 
1863,  p.  210;  Gray,  List  Picicl.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  ]25  (1868)  ; 
id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  203.  no.  8842  (1870) ;  Salvin,  Cat.  Strickl. 
Coll.  p.  402  (1882). 

Meiglyptes  fuscus,  Peale,  U.S.  Expl.  Exped.  viii.  p.  131, 
pi.  xxxvi.  fig.  1  (1818). 

Fhaiopicos  pectoralis  (non  Latham),  Malli.  N.  Classif. 
Mem.  Acad.  Metz,  1848-49,  p.  338. 

Meiglyptes  pectoralis  (non  Lath.),  Blyth,  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As. 
Soc.  p.  60  (1849)  ;  Bp.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854)  ; 
Eeichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picinse,  p.  402.  sp.  938,  pi.  dclvii. 
fig.  4372  (1854). 

Phaiopicus  pectoralis  (non  Lath.),  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid. 
ii.  p.  8,  pi.  xlvii.  figs.  5,  6  (1862). 

Picus  brunneus,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  91  (1866). 

Meiglyptes  marginatus,  Reinw.  MS.  (1821)  ;  Stoliczka,  J. 
A.  S.B.  xxxix.  p.  277  (1870). 

Meiglyptes  tuhki,  Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  57  (1874)  ;  Sharpe, 
P.Z.  S.  1875,  p.  103;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1875,  p.  319;  Sharpe, 
Ibis,  1876,  p.  36  ;  Tweedd.  op.  cit.  1877,  p.  290 ;  Hume  & 
Davison,  Str.  F.  1878,  p.  132;  Hume,  op.  cit.  1879,  p.  52; 
Sharpe,  Ibis,  1879,  p.  243;  id.  P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  792; 
Nicholson,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  55 ;  Gates,  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  61 
(1883). 

Picus  tukki,  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  183  (1876). 

Meiglyptes  tucci,  Briigg.  Abhandl.  nat.  Ver.  Bremen,  v. 
p.  455  (1877). 

Miglyptes  tukki,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  87. 

Adult  male.  Back,  scapulars,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts 
olive-dusky,  with  narrow  vermicular  transverse  markings 
of  dirty  white  and  a  subterminal  blackish  band  to  the 
feathers ;  wing-coverts  like  the  back,  except  those  of  the 
lesser  series  extending  along  the  forearm,  these  being  uni- 
form ;  bastard-wing  and  primary-coverts  olive-dusky ;  edge 
of  wing  varied  with  whitish  ;  quills  dusky,  the  outer  webs 
slightly  olive  and  notched  with  buffy  white,  the  inner  webs 


of  the  Genus  Migljl^tes.  195 

notclied  with  pure  white ;  some  of  the  inner  quills  narrowly- 
barred  with  dingy  buffy  white  across  both  webs;  shafts 
brown ;  tail  dusky^  the  feathers  narrowly  notched  or  partially- 
barred  on  both  webs  with  dirty  white^  the  dwarf  feather 
being  tipped  with  the  same ;  shafts  brown,  black  at  the  tip ; 
entire  head  and  upper  part  of  the  side  of  the  neck  dusky 
olivCj  slightly  darker  on  the  crown^  and  inclining  to  black 
on  the  hind  neck ;  a  broad  red  cheek-patchy  from  the  end  of 
which  is  a  stripe  of  clear  buffy  white  covering  the  lower  side 
of  the  neck  and  extending  as  far  as  the  chest ;  chin  and 
throat  dirty  yellowish  white^  narrowly  barred  with  black; 
fore  neck^  chesty  and  breast  blacky  the  feathers  of  the  latter 
very  narrowly  barred  at  the  tip  with  dull  buffy  white ;  flanks, 
thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts  olive-dusky,  with  a  brownish 
tinge,  barred  with  dingy  butfy  white;  abdomen  uniform 
dusky  olive-brown ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillaries  buffy 
white,  the  former  slightly  spotted  with  blackish,  the  latter 
having  dusky  bars.  Total  length  7  3  inches,  culmen  1'05, 
wing  3'95,  tail  2'4,  tarsus  0'78;  toes  (without  claws) — outer 
anterior  0'6,  outer  posterior  0"6,  inner  anterior  0*4,  inner 
posterior  0*2 7. 

Immature  male.  Resembling  the  adult  male,  but  rather 
lighter  in  colour,  the  forehead  and  crown  more  dusky  brown, 
the  feathers  tipped  with  dull  red,  and  having  a  subterminal 
blackish  band,  the  red  brighter  on  the  forehead;  occiput 
dusky  brown ;  malar  stripe  of  a  paler  and  duller  red ;  side 
of  the  head  more  of  a  dull  buffy  brown ;  the  light  patch  on 
the  side  of  the  neck  buff;  the  light  barring  on  the  chin  and 
throat  dingy  buff;  fore  neck,  chest,  and  ujjper  breast  browner, 
the  two  latter  barred  with  dingy  buff  or  pale  brown;  under- 
parts,  including  the  abdomen,  also  browner,  and  the  barring 
of  the  whole  similar  in  colour  to  that  on  the  chest  and  breast ; 
under  wing-coverts  uniform  pale  buff;  the  spots  or  partial 
bars  on  the  quills  and  rectrices  larger  and  broader. 

Nestling  male.  Differing  from  the  older  but  still  immature 
male  in  having  the  red  confined  to  the  forehead,  and  not 
spreading  over  the  crown,  the  latter,  as  well  as  the  occiput, 
being  uniform  olive-dusky  as  in  the  adult ;  side  of  the  head 


196  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

of  the  same  colour  as  the  crowu ;  malar  stripe  red  ;  wing- 
coverts  along  the  forearm  tipped  with  greyish ;  under  wing- 
coverts  uniform  huffy  white. 

Adult  female.  Rescmbliug  the  male^  but  wanting  the  red 
malar  patch.  ^'^Iris  brown;  legs  and  feet  dull  dirty  green; 
lower  mandible  pale  plumbeous  olive ;  upper  mandible  black ; 
claws  pale  horny  brown.'''  [Wm.  Davison.)  Total  length 
7*3  inches^  culmen  0"95,  wing  J-'O^  tail  2*0j  tarsus  0*82. 

Immature  female.  Differs  from  the  immature  male  in  the 
absence  of  the  red  malar  patchy  and  also  in  having  no  red 
on  the  forehead  and  crown ;  the  light  bai'ring  on  the  chin 
and  throat  whiter ;  distinguishable  from  the  adult  female  in 
being  generally  lighter  in  colour,,  also  in  having  the  chest 
and  upper  breast  less  black  and  the  abdomen  indistinctly 
barred. 

Nestling  female.  In  general  markings  resembling  the  adult, 
but  altogether  more  dusky  in  colour;  forehead  and  crown 
grey  tinged  with  green ;  chin  and  throat  barred  with  greyish 
white,  as  are  likewise  the  breast,  flanks,  and  thighs  ;  the 
stripe  on  the  side  of  the  neck  white,  with  a  yellow  tinge; 
chest  black ;  abdomen  nearly  uniform ;  the  central  pair  of 
tail-feathers  not  full-grown,  being  about  one  inch  in  length, 
and  uniform  in  colour,  as  are  also  the  next  two  feathers  on 
either  side ;  dwarf  feather  barred  with  Avhitish ;  the  penulti- 
mate and  next  inner  feather  with  whitish  spots  upon  both 
webs.  The  soft  parts  in  this  species  are  as  follows  : — "  Legs 
and  feet  dull  or  brownish  green  ;  claws  a  little  paler ;  irides 
brown ;  upper  mandible  black ;  lower  mandible  pale  plum- 
beous blue,  in  some  greenish,  in  many  the  tip  is  dark  plum- 
beous, and  the  base  is  also,  at  times,  a  darker  plumbeous." 
{W.  Davison.) 

I  share  the  views  expressed  by  the  (then)  Lord  Walden 
('Ibis,'  1871,  p.  165),  and  do  not  consider  that  Latham's  de- 
scription of  Picas  pectoralis  agrees  with  the  present  s^^ecies, 
which  will  therefore  have  to  bear  the  title  of  M.  tukki  of 
Lesson,  this  being  prior  to  luridus  of  Nitzsch.  The  range  of 
this  species  is  almost  identical  with  that  of  M.  grammithorax. 
Mr,  Hume  says  it  is  rare  in  Tenasserim,  and,  according  to 


of  the  Genus  Miglyptes.  197 

Mr.  Davison,  it  is  common  in  the  Malay  peninsula  and  on 
Singapore  Island.  It  has  also  been  obtained  in  Sumatra 
by  Messrs.  Wallace,  Buxton,  and  H.  O,  Forbes;  while  in 
Borneo  it  has  been  procured  at  Sandakan  by  Mr.  W.  B. 
Pryerj  Lumbidan  {Ussher,  Treacher,  6f  Low)  ;  Lawas  River 
{Treacher);  Sarawak  [Doria  ^  Beccari)  ;  Jambusan  and 
Tagora  [Everett)  ;  Banjermassing  {Mottley  ^  Schierbrand)  ; 
and  also  at  Moara,  Teweh,  in  the  south-eastern  portion  of 
the  island  [Fischer). 

4.  Miglyptes  jugularis. 

Meiglyptes  jugularis,  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  xiv.  p.  195  (18-15)  ; 
id.  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  60  (1849)  ;  Horsf.  &  Moore, 
Cat.  B.  Mus.  E.I.  Co.  ii.  p.  669.  no.  977  (1856-58)  ;  Hume, 
Str.  F.  1874,  p.  471;  id.  &  Gates,  op.  cit.  1875,  p.  14; 
Hume  &  Davison,  op.  cit.  1878,  vi.  pp.  13.2  and  501 ;  Oates, 
B.  Brit.  Burra.  ii.  p.  60  (1883). 

Phaiopicus  jugularis,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  ii.  p.  11  (1862). 
Hemicircus  jugularis,  Gray,   List  Picid.   Brit.   Mus.  p.  71 
(1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  191.  no.  8670  (1870). 

Miglyptes  jugularis,  Hume,  Str.  F.  1879,  p.  87;  Bingham, 
op.  cit.  1880,  p.  161 ;  Oates,  op.  cit.  1882,  p.  190. 

Adult  male.  Back  and  scapulars  black ;  rump  bufiy 
white ;  wing-coverts  black,  tipped  with  buffy  white,  some 
of  the  median  and  greater  series  being  barred  with  the 
same ;  a  conspicuous  and  large  patch  of  buffy  white  ex- 
tending the  whole  length  of  the  forearm,  also  a  similar- 
coloured  patch  on  the  edge  of  the  wing ;  bastard-wing  and 
primary-coverts  black  ;  quills  black,  the  outer  primary 
unspotted,  the  next  feather  spotted  with  buffy  white  at  the 
base  only  of  both  webs ;  the  remaining  quills  minutely 
spotted  with  buffy  white  on  the  outer  webs,  the  inner  with 
large  spots  or  notches  of  the  same,  some  of  the  innermost 
feathers  having  the  light  markings  on  the  inner  webs  con- 
fluent at  the  base,  or  with  broad  buffy  white  bars  across  both 
webs  on  their  apical  portion;  shafts  black;  upper  tail- 
coverts,  tail,  and  tail-shafts  black ;  forehead,  crown,  lores, 
and  side  of  the  face  black,   the  lores  being  spotted  with 


198  On  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Genus  Miglyptes. 

yellowish  or  buffy  white^  the  remainder  having  narrow  ver- 
micular transverse  markings  of  huffy  white  ;  a  small  dull  red 
cheek-patch;  occipital  crest  blacky  with  slight  traces  of  the 
vermicular  light  markings  w  hicli  cover  the  head ;  chin  and 
throat  blacky  spotted  with  buffy  white ;  upper  portion  of  the 
side  of  the  neck  black,  the  remainder  buffy  white,  this  colour 
spreading  across  the  hind  neck  and  forming  a  broad  collar, 
then  running  in  a  broad  stripe  down  the  side  of  the  chest ; 
entire  underparts  black ;  sides  of  the  body  and  flanks  buffy 
white,  varied  with  black ;  thighs  buffy  white,  barred  with 
black  ;  under  wing-coverts  and  axillaries  uniform  buffy 
white ;  "  bill  and  claws  black  ;  legs  and  feet  dirty  dull  green ; 
irides  dark  brown -"^  (J.  Darling).  Total  length  6*5  inches, 
culmen  0'93,  wing  4'05,  tail  1*8,  tarsus  0*8;  toes  (without 
claws) — outer  anterior  0*55,  outer  posterior  0"55,  inner  an- 
terior 0"35,  inner  posterior  0'28. 

Adult  female.  Resembles  the  male,  but  is  slightly  browner 
and  without  the  red  cheek-patch ;  "  bill  black ;  irides 
dark  brown ;  legs  and  feet  green ;  claws  horny "  {Bing- 
ham). Total  length  6*5  inches,  culmen  0'85,  wing  4,  tail  1*8, 
tarsus  0"78. 

The  colouring  of  the  light  portions  of  the  plumage  in  the 
above  species  varies  considerably.  In  three  males  now  before 
me  one  has  the  light  patch  upon  the  side  of  the  neck  and 
hind  neck,  the  shoulder-patch,  likewise  the  rump  and  under 
wing-coverts  with  a  yellow  tinge,  another  has  these  parts 
of  a  buff- colour  inclining  to  rufous,  and  the  third  has  the 
same  parts  of  a  buffy  white  without  any  yellow  tinge.  The 
bird  with  buff  markings  has  the  dark  portions  of  the  plu- 
mage of  a  browner  shade,  and  the  red  malar  stripe  as  bright 
as  in  the  other  two  specimens. 

This  species  has  a  restricted  range.  Mr.  E.  W.  Gates  says  : 
— "  In  Upper  Pegu  it  is  decidedly  rare  ;  but  occurring  as  it 
does  both  on  the  Arrakan  and  Pegu  hills,  it  probably  may 
also  be  met  with  on  the  intervening  plains.""  Messrs.  Hume 
and  Davison,  in  their  paper  on  the  "  Birds  of  Tenasserim  ""^ 
(Str.  F.  1878,  vi.  p.  132),  record  the  species  from  Pahpoon, 
Assoon,  Meetan,  Amherst,  Lemyne,  Yea,  Meeta  Myo,  and 


On  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Ethiopian  Region.         199 

Tavoy;  and  in  the  Appendix  {t.  c.  p.  501)  they  add — ^' i\\e 
jungles  at  the  foot  of  Nwalabo^  and  the  country  between  this 
and  Tavoy/'  Capt.  Bingham  (Str.  Feath.  1880,  p.  IGl)  ob- 
serves— "  though  not  common,  it  still  occurs  here  and  there 
in  the  evergreen  forests  of  the  Thoungyeeu."  Siam  has 
been  given  as  a  habitat  by  Blyth ;  and  in  the  British  Museum 
there  is  a  specimen  (formerly  in  the  Gould  collection)  from 
that  locality,  procured  by  Mouhot  or  Schomburgk.  Colonel 
Tickell,  in  his  MS.  111.  Ind.  Orn.,  describes  and  figures,  as  a 
male,  a  Tenasserim  example;  the  red  cheek-patch  has,  how- 
ever, been  omitted,  sliowing  that  he  had  a  female  bird  before 
him.  Malherbe  describes  the  present  species  as  "^less  than 
M.  tristis  •/'  but  his  measurements  show  this  to  be  a  slip  of 
the  pen.  I  have  examined  specimens  of  M.  jugular  is  in 
the  collection  of  the  British  Museum,  and  also  in  that  of 
Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay.  The  descriptions  are  taken  from 
birds  in  my  own  museum. 


XXI. — Azotes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VII.  Additional  Notes 
on  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Ethiopian  Region.  By  Edward 
Hargitt,  F.Z.S. 

Through  the  kindness  of  Count  Salvadori  I  have  recently 
had  an  opportunity  of  examining  some  interesting  Wood- 
peckers collected  by  the  late  Marquis  Antinori  in  Schoa. 
Amongst  them  was  an  example  of  Mesopicns  spodocephalus,  a 
species  which,  at  the  time  I  wrote  my  paper  on  the  African 
Woodpeckers,  I  had  not  had  an  opportunity  of  examining. 
It  turns  ou-t  to  be  a  very  distinct  species,  which  I  am  glad 
to  have  the  chance  of  describing,  as  it  enables  me  to  correct 
at  the  same  time  a  very  serious  error  which  has  crept  into 
my  key  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  406),  for  the  detection  of  which  I  am 
also  indebted  to  Count  Salvadori.  By  a  lapsus  calami  I  have 
placed  M.  goertan  and  M.  spodocephalus  in  the  yellow-shafted 
section  of  the  genus,  instead  of  in  the  black-shafted  section, 
and  I  therefore  give  an  amended  key  to  replace  my  former 
one. 


200  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

Key  to  the  Species. 

a.  Shafts  of  quills  and  of  tail-feathers  bright  yellow  or 

orange-brown  above  and  below. 
a^.  Sinciput  black,  spotted  with  white ;  hinder  crown 
and  occiput  red ;  colour  above  and  below  olive- 
dusky,  narrowly  barred  with  white ;   sides  of 
face  white. 
a'.  With  a  broad  auricular  stripe  of  black  and  a 
second  broad  moustachial  band,  the  two  7iot 

meeting  on  the  side  of  the  neck timnacjuus. 

b'.  Auricular  baud  uniting  with  the  moustachial 

band  on  the  side  of  the  neck schoensis. 

b.  Shafts  of  quills  and  of  rectrices  dark  brown  or  black 

above,  yellow  or  liglit  brown  below. 
b^.  Forehead  ashy  grey ;  crown  and  occiput  red  ;  rump 
and  upper  tail-coverts  red. 
c^.  Centre  of  abdomen  yellow,  sometimes  with  a 

slight  tinge  of  red     goertan. 

d^.  Entire  abdomen  conspicuously  red,  extending 

on  to  the  breast     spodocephalus. 

c'.  Forehead,   crown,   and   occiput,  as    well  as   the 

rump  and  upper  tail-coverts,  red. 

e".  Above  and  below  uniform  golden  olive,  without 

moustachial   or  auricular  stripes  ;    face  and 

throat   slaty   grey ;    lower   part   of  abdomen 

centred  with  red     griscocephalus. 

/*.  Above  uniform  golden  olive  ;  below  dingy  buffy 
white,  striped  and  varied  with  black ;  a  black 
moustache  and    auricular    stripe  ;   face    and 
throat  buffy  white ;  a  median  stripe  of  red  down 
the  breast  and  the  whole  of  the  abdomen    .  .     pyrrhogaster. 
d}.  Forehead  and  crown  dark  umber-brown,  the  fea- 
thers of  the  former  tipped  with  white  and  the 
latter  with  yellow ;  occiput  bright  yellow;  rump 
yellowish  olive     xantholophua. 

It  appears  that  in  following  von  Heuglin  with  regard 
to  M.  spodocephalus,  I  had  taken  for  granted  that  he  was 
acquainted  with  the  species;  this  no^v  turns  out  not  to  have 
been  the  case,  von  Heuglin^s  so-called  M.  spodocephalus  being 
nothing  more  than  what  has  been  termed  the  red-bellied 
variety  of  M.  goertan,  which,  in  my  opinion^  is  nothing  but 
the  adult  bird  of  that  species.     I  append  a  full  description 


of  the  Ethiopian  Region.  201 

of  the  true  M.  spodocephalus,  taken  from  the  specimen  which 
Count  Salvadori  has  been  good  enough  to  lend  me,  giving  at 
the  same  time  what  I  believe  to  be  a  detailed  synonymy  of 
the  species,  according  to  the  views  of  Count  Salvadori  and 
myself. 

Mesopicus  spodocephalus. 

Dendrobates  poiocephalus,  Riipp.  (non  Sw.)  Beschr.  neuer 
abyss.  Klettervogel,  in  Mus.  Senckenb.,  Extra-Band  iii. 
p.  119  (1842);  id.  Syst.  Uebers.  p.  86,  pi.  xxxiv.  (1845); 
Heugl.  Syst.  Uebers.  p.  47.  no.  485  (1856). 

Dendrobates  spodocephalus,  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  125 
(1850). 

Mesopicus  spodocephalus,  Bp.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9 
(1854) ;  Hartl.  Orn.  W.Afr.  p.  180  (note)  (1857). 

Scolecotheres  spodocephalus,  Reichenb.  Handb.  Scans. 
Picinse,  p.  427,  pi.  dclxxvi.  figs.  4471,  4472-  (1854)  (ex 
Riipp.). 

Dendropicus  spodocephalus  (pt.).  Gray,  List  Picid.  Brit. 
Mus.  p.  68  (1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  190.  n.  8660 
(1870). 

Adult  female.  Back  and  scapulars  uniform  golden  olive, 
the  feathers  having  brighter  golden  margins ;  wing-coverts 
browner  than  the  back  and  more  or  less  margined  with  golden 
olive  ;  quills  brown,  the  outer  webs  of  the  inner  primaries 
margined  with  golden  olive,  those  of  the  secondaries  par- 
tially or  entirely  olive-brown,  similarly  margined ;  a  few 
minute  and  almost  obsolete  yellowish  spots  on  the  outer 
webs  of  some  of  the  primaries ;  the  inner  webs  of  the  pri- 
maries at  their  base,  and  those  of  the  secondaries  along  their 
whole  length,  spotted  with  white ;  the  innermost  secondaries 
washed  with  olive  on  the  inner  webs,  shafts  dark  brown ; 
rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  scarlet ;  tail  brown,  the  lateral 
feathers  with  a  few  indistinct  spots  of  yellowish  brown, 
shafts  dark  brown ;  nasal  plumes,  entire  head  and  neck,  also 
the  under  surface  of  the  body,  bluish  grey,  the  breast  having 
a  slight  tinge  of  olive  ;  the  abdomen  scarlet-vermilion  ;  under 
tail-coverts  uniform,  and    rather  browner  than   the   under 


202    On  the  Occurrence  of  ffistrelata  h^esitata  in  Hungary. 

surface  of  the  body ;  under  wing-coverts  dull  white,  with  a 
slight  tinge  of  yellow,  and  having  dusky  barring.  Total 
length  7  inches,  culmen  0-9,  wing  4-37,  tail  2*3,  tarsus  OT; 
toes  (without  claws),  outer  anterior  0-56,  outer  posterior 
0'62,  inner  anterior  0*45,  inner  posterior  0"3. 

Considering  that  Bonaparte  in  all  probability  only  knew 
this  species  from  Riippell's  single  type  (a  female,  which  is 
in  the  Frankfort  Museum),  I  cannot  see  how  he  was  able  to 
describe  the  male  as  having  the  whole  of  the  top  of  the  head 
red,  although  this  will  doubtless  prove  to  be  the  case. 


XXII. — On  the  Occurrence  of  (Fi^ixel^iiQ,  htesitata  in  Hungary. 
By  W.  Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S. 

When  going  over  the  collection  of  Hungarian  birds  in  the 
National  Museum  at  Buda-Pesth  in  May  last,  I  was  very 
much  surprised  to  observe  a  specimen  of  CE.  hcesitata.  This, 
I  was  informed  by  Dr.  Madarasz,  the  Curator  in  ornithology, 
had  been  killed  in  or  near  the  village  of  Zolinki,  in  the 
county  of  Zips,  in  North  Hungary,  in  the  year  1870,  and 
found  its  way  into  a  local  collection  of  birds,  but  was 
acquired  by  the  museum  in  exchange  during  the  same  year. 

The  occurrence  of  this  ocean-loving  species  in  the  very 
heart  of  Europe  is  not  a  little  remarkable ;  and  when  I  in- 
formed Professor  Newton  of  the  existence  of  this  specimen, 
he,  with  his  accustomed  caution,  advised  me  to  have  the 
identification  confirmed  by  Herr  von  Pelzeln,  whose  acquain- 
tance I  had  the  pleasure  of  making  when  at  Vienna.  My 
friend  Dr.  Madarasz  kindly  sent  the  bird  to  Vienna  for 
examination ;  and  Herr  v.  Pelzeln  informed  me  shortly  after- 
wards that  it  was  "^the  bird  figured  by  Temminck  in  the 
'^  Planches  Coloriees  •*  (fig.  416),  but  in  a  younger  dress.^^ 

This  occurrence  has  not  hitherto,  I  believe,  been  recorded ; 
and  unless,  since  the  publication  of  Dresser's  'Birds  of 
Europe,^  there  are  some  additional  occurrences  of  which  I 
am  unaware,  it  is  the  third  European  specimen. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  203 

XXIII. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 

23.  'The  Auk.' 

['The  Auk,'  a  Quarterly  Journal  of  Ornithology.  Continuation  of 
the  'Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club.*  Vol.  I.  No.  1. 
January  1884.     Boston,  Mass.] 

In  our  last  Numbei'  (p.  60)  we  called  attention  to  the 
inauguration  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  and  we 
have  now  before  us  a  copy  of  the  first  number  of  their 
new  organ,  which  is  called  '  The  Auk.' 

It  is  not  for  us  to  criticize  the  wisdom  of  this  title, 
although,  in  reply  to  the  Shakesperian  question  "  What's  in 
a  name?"  we  might  say  that  there  is  a  good  deal  in  its 
appropriateness,  or  the  reverse.  But  the  reasons  for  its 
adoption  are  given;  and  we  cordially  desire  for  the  new 
periodical  a  better  fate  than  that  which  has  befallen  the 
most  distinguished  member  of  the  family  Alcidse. 

The  first  contribution  is  by  Mr.  C.  B.  Cory,  who  describes 
several  new  birds  from  the  Island  o£  San  Domingo.  In 
the  Sylvicolidse  he  institutes  a  new  genus  Ligea  (scr.  Ligia, 
the  derivation  being  apparently  Xiyeia),  the  type  being 
Ligea  palusti'is,  sp.  n.,  which  is  described  and  figured. 
Hirundo  sclateri,  sp.  n.,  is  distinguished  by  its  larger  size, 
more  slender  bill,  and  blue  forehead  from  //.  euchrysea  of 
Jamaica.  In  the  Tanagridse,  Fhoenicophilus  frugivorus,  re- 
cently described  as  new  (Journ.  Bost.  Zool.  Soc.  ii.  p.  45), 
is  made  the  type  of  a  distinct  genus,  Calyptopihilus ;  also 
Rupornis  ridgwayi  and  OEdicnemus  dominicensis  (torn.  cit. 
p.  46)  are  redescribed. 

The  Notes  on  the  birds  of  the  Lower  Uruguay  are  con- 
tinued from  the  'Nuttall  Bulletin'  by  Mr.  W.  B.  Barrows. 
There  are  several  other  papers  of  interest ;  Professor  Augustus 
C.  Merriam's  criticisms  on  the  Coues  Lexicon  of  North 
American  Birds,  and  Professor  Elliott  Coues's  reply,  entitled 
'  Ornithophilo  logicalities,'  are  very  amusing  as  far  as  they 
go ;  and  a  continuation  of  these  scientific  amenities  is  pro- 
mised. 

At  the  first  congress  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union 


204  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

held  in  New  York  city  last  September^  a  Committee  was 
appointed  to  investigate  the  subject  of  migration  of  birds  in 
the  United  States  and  British  North  America.  The  plan  of 
the  work  and  instructions  to  collaborators  are  set  forth  at 
considerable  length  ;  and  if  the  response  to  the  invitation  is  as 
cordial  as  may  fairly  be  anticipated,  the  scheme  of  registered 
observations  already  commenced  and  so  ably  carried  out  by 
the  Committee  appointed  by  the  British  Association  will 
find  valued  coadjutors  in  the  New  World.  The  Chairman 
of  the  American  Committee  is  Dr.  C.  Hart  Merriam. 

24.  Blasius  on  Birds  from  Ecuador, 

[Uebei'  wahrscbeiiilich  schon  von  den  eingeborenen  Sammlern  und 
Jageru  ausgefiibrte  Falscbungeu  von  Vogelbalgeu  aus  Ecuador.  Von 
Prof.  Dr.  Wilb.  Blasius.  Verb.  f.  Naturw.  z.  Braunscbweig,  iii.  Jahresb. 
f.  1881-82  u.  1882-8.3,  p.  68.] 

The  author  remarks  upon  the  fraudulent  manufactui'e  of 
specimens  by  native  and  other  collectors  in  different  parts 
of  the  world,  especially  in  South  America,  and  mentions 
sixteen  specimens  from  Ecuador  which  he  believes  to  have 
been  made  up  with  feathers  of  other  birds. 

25.  Blasius  on  Birds  from  Java. 

[Ueber  eine  kleine  Sammhmg  von  Vogelu  aus  Java.  Von  Prof.  Dr. 
Wilb.  Blasius.  Verb.  f.  Naturw.  z.  Braunscbweig,  iii.  Jabresb.  f.  1881- 
82  u.  1882-83,  p.  78.] 

Herr  Grabowsky_,  who,  as  our  readers  will  recollect,  has 
recently  made  a  collection  in  the  south-eastern  portion  of 
Borneo  [cf.  'Ibis/  1883,  p.  563),  has  extended  his  excursions 
to  Java,  whence  he  has  sent  a  small  number  of  birds  in 
spirits  to  the  Brunswick  IViuseum.  The  species,  nine  in 
number,  are  elaborately  described  by  Prof.  Blasius. 

26.  Blasius  on  the  Great  Auk. 

[Ueber  die  letzten  Vorkomnisse  des  Riesen-Alks  {Aha  impennis)  und 
die  in  Braunscbweig  und  an  anderen  Orten  befindlicben  Exemplare  dieser 
Ai-t.  Von  Prof.  Dr.  Wilbelm  Blasius.  Verb.  f.  Naturw,  z.  Braunscbweig, 
iu.  Jabresb.  f.  1881-82  u.  1882-83,  p.  89.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  205 

The  literature  relating  to  the  above-named  species  is  noticed 
at  considerable  length,  and  details  are  given  of  a  specimen 
which  has  recently  come  to  light  in  Brunswick.  In  an 
alphabetical  list  Prof.  Blasius  enumerates  the  examples  the 
existence  of  which  is  known  to  him,  74  in  number.  To  these 
may  be  added  a  hitherto  unrecorded  specimen  belonging  to  the 
Duke  of  Roxburghe,  at  Floors  Castle,  described  and  exhibited 
before  the  Royal  Physical  Society  of  Edinburgh  on  the  18th 
of  April  1883.     The  eggs  of  the  Great  Auk  are  also  noticed. 

27.  Collett  on  three  additions  to  the  Norwegian  Avifauna. 

[^Ardetta  mimita  (Linn.),  Sterna ^cantiaca,  Gmel.,  og  Larus  minutus, 
Pall.,  nye  for  Norges  Fauna.  Af  Robert  Collett.  Vid.-Selsk.  Forh. 
1883,  no.  15.] 

Examples  of  Ardetta  minuta,  Sterna  cantiaca,  and  Larus 
minutus  occurred  in  Norway,  the  first  two  in  July  1883,  and 
the  last-named  in  October  1882,  and  are  now  in  the  Uni- 
versity Museum  of  Copenhagen.  Full  particulars  are  given 
by  Mr.  Collett. 

28.  Coppinger's  Cruise  of  the  'Alert.* 

[Cruise  of  the  'Alert.'  Four  Years  in  Patagonian,  Polynesian,  and 
Mascarene  Waters.  (1878-82.)  By  R.  W.  Coppinger,  M.D.,  Staff- 
Surgeon  Royal  Navy,  C.M.Z.S.     London :  1883,     1  vol.     8vo.] 

No  naturalist  should  omit  to  look  through  Dr.  Coppinger's 
narrative  of  the  Cruise  of  the  '  Alert,'  which  is  full  of  in- 
teresting information  on  every  branch  of  natural  history. 
Most  of  the  time  was  spent  in  Patagonian  waters  ;  but  many 
details  are  also  given  about  the  seldom-visited  coral-reefs 
between  the  Seychelles  and  Madagascar,  which  were  taken  on 
the  return  home. 

The  ornithologist  will  read  with  pleasure  the  many  episodes 
on  bird-life  interspersed  throughout  the  volume,  which  relate 
to  both  land  and  marine  species  (see  pp.  56,  87,  106,  207, 
224,  and  238) .  The  supposed  species  of  Upucerthia,  of  which 
the  very  curious  burrowing  habits  are  described  at  p.  142,  is, 
we  suppose,  Geositta  cunicularia.      It  would  be  desirable, 

SER.  v. — VOL.   II.  Q 


206  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

however,  to  have  this  underground  traveller  positively  iden- 
tified, if  there  are  specimens  of  it  in  the  British  Museum. 

With  regard  to  the  Gulls  observed  in  the  Straits  of  Ma- 
gellan, Dr.  Coppinger  makes  some  statements  which  are 
entirely  at  variance  with  the  experience  of  every  other  ob- 
server, and  also  with  the  evidence  to  be  derived  from  care- 
fully sexed  specimens,  as  well  as  general  analogy.  He  states 
(p.  60)  that  the  female  of  Larus  dominicanus  is  brown,  and 
that  she  pursues  and  robs  the  "  black-backed  (male)  bird," 
as  a  Skua  might  do;  also  that,  in  the  immature  Dominican 
Gulls,  the  colour  of  the  mandibles  is  '^  green,  instead  of 
orange  as  in  the  males,  and  black  as  in  the  females."  The 
brown  pursuing  bird  may  have  been  a  ravenous  young  one 
seeking  food  from  the  adult,  as  young  Gulls  will  often  do, 
or  it  may  have  actually  been  a  Skua  {Sterc'orarius  chilensis)  ; 
but  there  is  no  such  sexual  difference  in  plumage  between 
the  adults  oi  L.  dominicanus  or  of  any  other  known  Gull; 
nor  have  we  ever  seen,  out  of  a  hundred  specimens,  a  young 
one  with  green  mandibles. 

29.  Doering  on  the  Birds  of  the  Rio  Negro  of  Patagonia. 

[Informe  Oficial  de  la  Coiiiision  Cientifica  agregada  al  Estado  Mayor 
General  de  la  Expedicion  al  Eio  Negro  (Patagonia),  realizada  en  lo3 
meses  de  Abril,  Mayo,  y  Junio  de  1879,  bnjo  las  ordenes  del  General  D. 
Julio  A.  Roca.  Entrega  I.  Zoologia.  Por  el  Dr.  D.  Adolfo  Doering, 
con  la  colaboracion  del  Dr.  D.  Carlos  Berg,  y  de  D.  Eduardo  L.  Ilolm- 
berg.     Buenos  Aires  :  1881.] 

In  1879  the  Argentine  Government  despatched  an  expe- 
dition to  the  Rio  Negro  of  Patagonia  under  the  command  of 
General  Roca,  to  stoj)  the  inroads  of  the  marauding  Indians. 
A  scientific  Commission  was  sent  in  their  company,  consist- 
ing of  Dr.  P.  G.  Lorentz,  assisted  by  G.  Niedcrlein,  for 
Botany,  and  Dr.  Doering,  assisted  by  F.  Schulz,  of  the  Mu- 
seum of  Cordoba,  for  zoology  and  geology.  The  report  on 
the  birds  obtained  during  the  expedition,  and  the  general 
observations  on  the  fauna  of  the  territory  annexed,  are  from 
the  pen  of  Dr.  Doering,  and  both  essays  contain  much  in- 
teresting matter.     The  new  territory  is  divided  zoologically 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  207 

into  four  divisions — the  Southern  Pampas^  the  inter-riverine 
region  {i.  e.  between  the  Rio  Colorado  and  the  Rio  Negro 
and  Rio  Neuquen),  the  central  mountain-range,  and  the 
eastern  slope.  The  first  two  of  these  are  discussed  at  full 
length  and  their  peculiar  animals  are  descanted  upon ;  but 
the  third  and  fourth  regions  were  not  touched  upon  by  the 
expedition,  and  are  in  fact  almost  unexplored.  The  birds 
enumerated  in  the  report  are  110  in  number,  most  of  which 
are  well-known  Patagonian  species.  Dr.  Doering  contends 
that  the  Synallaxis  orbignii  of  Sclater's  synopsis  (P.  Z.  S. 
1879,  p.  621)  is  the  true  S.  flavigularis,  Gould,  and  ought  to 
bear  that  name.  A  map  of  the  territory  traversed  and 
described  in  the  Report  would  have  much  facilitated  the 
understanding  of  it. 

30.  Dyboivski's  additiotial  Remarks  on  the  Siberia?!  Puffins. 

[Qiielques  remarques  supplementaires  sur  les  Mormouides.  Par  le  Dr. 
Benoit  Djbowski.     Bull.  Soc,  Zool.  France,  1883,  p.  848.] 

These  are  supplementary  to  the  paper  noticed,  'Ibis,^  1883, 
p.  566,  and  relate  principally  to  the  winter  dresses  of  the 
different  species. 

31.  Dybowski's  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Kamtschatka. 

[Hemarques  sur  les  Oiseaux  du  Kamtschatka  et  des  iles  Comandores. 
Par  le  Dr.  Benoit  Djbowski.     Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1883,  p.  351.] 

These  are  mostly  field-notes  on  Kamtschatkan  birds.  Astur 
candidissimus,  described  as  a  new  species,  is  apparently  a  white 
form  of  A.  atricapillus ,  which  is  a  permanent  resident  in  the 
country,  and  feeds  on  the  Ptarmigan  in  the  winter.  Hirundo 
kamtschatica  and  PhyUopseuste  horneyeri  are  also  described 
as  new  species,  together  with  two  new  subspecies  of  Corvus 
cor  ax — C  cor  ax  kamtschaticus  and  C.  cor  ax  bericyianus. 

32.  Godman  and  Salvin's  'Biologia  Centrali- Americana.' 

[Biologia  Centrali-Americana ;  or,  Contributions  to  the  Knowledge  of 
the  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Mexico  and  Central  America.     Edited  by  F. 


208  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

DuCane  Godman  and  Osbert  Salvin.  (Zoology.)  Parts  xxvi.  and  xxvii. 
4to.  London:  1883.  Published  for  the  Editors  by  K.  H.  Porter, 
10  Chandos  Street,  Cavendish  Square,  W.] 

The  26th  part  of  this  important  work  continues  the  Birds, 
and  contains  the  Coerebidae  and  the  commencement  of  the 
Tanagridse.  Of  the  former  family  11  species  are  included  in 
the  Central- American  avifauna — one,  Dacnis  viyuieri,  being 
now  described  and  figured  for  the  first  time  from  Oustalet's 
MS.  The  type  of  this  well-marked  species  in  the  Paris 
Museum  was  obtained  on  the  Gulf  of  Darien  in  1877  by 
Dr.  Viguier.  Of  the  Tanagridse  the  genera  Chlurophonia 
and  Euphonia  and  the  first  seven  species  of  Calliste  are 
treated  of.  Chlorophonia  cyanodorsalis  of  Dubois  we  look 
upon  as  a  very  questionable  species :  the  type,  after  which 
Sclater  has  made  special  inquiries,  is  no  longer  in  the  Brussels 
Museum,  if  it  ever  was  there ;  and  no  one  knows  what  has 
become  of  it.  Besides  Dacnis  viguieri  already  mentioned, 
the  present  number  of  the  'Biologia'  contains  excellent  figures 
of  both  sexes  of  Diglossa  plmnhea,  also  of  Certhiola  caboti, 
Euphonia  luteicapilla,fulvicrissa,  and  gracilis,  Calliste  florida, 
and  Pyranga  erythrocephala. 

The  27th  part  continues  the  account  of  the  Central- 
American  Tanagridse  into  the  genus  Tachyphonus.  Pyranga 
figlina  is  described  as  a  new  species  of  the  "  hepatica  "  group. 
The  type  is  from  British  Honduras.  Phoenicothraupis  rhodi- 
nolcsma,  a  new  form  of  the  '^  rubica  "  group  from  Ecuador,  is 
described  in  a  footnote.  We  are  not  sure  that  it  is  laudable 
to  give  descriptions  of  new  birds  of  one  country  in  a  work 
relating  to  another,  although  there  are  precedents  for  this 
practice.  Lanio  leucothorax  melanopygius  of  Ridgway  is 
elevated  to  specific  rank  as  L.  melanopygius ;  it  is  a  southern 
representative  of  L.  leucothorax.  Figures  are  given  of 
Rhamphocoelus  passerinii,  R.  uropygialis,  Pyranga  testacea 
<J  et  $  ,  Chlorothraupis  carmioli,  Eucometis  spodocephala , 
Tachyphonus  chrysomelas  and  T.  nitidissimus  (both  sexes) . 

33.  Gould's  '  Birds  of  New  Guinea.' 

[The  Birds  of  New  Guinea  and  the  adjacent  Papuan  Islands,  including 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  209 

any  new  species  tliat  may  be  discovered  in  Australia.     By  [the  late]  John 
Gould,  F.R.S.  &c.     Part  XV.     Folio.     London :  1883.] 

The  fifteenth  part  of  this  work  contains  illustrations  of 
the  following  species  : — 

Ninox  forbesi.  Drymaoedus  beccarii. 

Eos  reticulata.  Ptilopus  wallacei. 

Sericornis  beccarii.  Calornis  crassa. 

arfakiaua.  Rhipidura  bamadryas. 

Lalage  mcesta.  fusco-rufa. 

Dicseum  fulgidum.  Pachycephala  arctitorquis. 
Myzomela  annabellpe. 

Except  the  Eos,  the  two  species  of  Sericornis,  and  Dry- 
maoedus, these  are  all  novelties  from  IVIr.  H.  O.  Forbes^s 
recent  visit  to  the  Tenimher  group,  and  figured  from  his 
specimens.  Eos  reticulata  is  also  figured  from  his  spe- 
cimens; but  it  might  have  been  mentioned  that  there  is 
a  fine  specimen  of  this  Lory  now  alive  in  the  Zoological 
Society^s  Gardens. 

34.  Jullien  on  the  Anatomy  of  Aptenodytes. 

[Remarques  sur  I'Anatomie  de  VAjjtenodytes  patagonica,  Gm.  Par  le 
Dr.  Jules  Jullien,     Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1882,  p.  374.] 

A  description  of  the  internal  anatomy  of  the  King  Pen- 
guins (from  a  specimen  that  died  in  the  Jardin  d^Acclima- 
tation)^  illustrated  by  two  plates. 

35.  Maingonnat  on  a  new  Species  o/ Argus. 

[Lettre  de  M.  Maingonnat.  Bull.  Soc.  Zool,  France,  1882,  ProcSs- 
verb,  p.  XXV.] 

]V[.  IVIaingonnat^s  letter,  read  at  the  IMeeting  of  the  Soc. 
Zool.  de  France^  describes  Rheinardius  ocellatus  {cf.  Ibis, 
1883,  p.  107)  under  the  name  Argus  rheinardi. 

36.  Oustalefs  Ornithological  Notes. 

[Notes  d'Ornithologie  (3«  serie).  Par  M.  E.  Oustalet.  Bull.  Soc. 
Philom,  ser.  7,  vi.  p.  254  (1882).] 

M.  Oustalet   describes   some   recent   acquisitions   of  the 


210  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Museum  d'Histoire  Naturelle  in  the  Class  of  Birds^  and 
speaks  first  of  the  remarkable  new  Gallinaceous  form  (allied 
to  Argus)  Rheinardius  ocellatus,  of  which  two  mounted  ex- 
amples are  now  in  the  gallery  at  Paris.  The  exact  locality 
of  this  species  has  now  been  ascertained  to  be  "  Buih  Dinh/'' 
a  hundred  leagues  south  of  the  Hue  in  Tonquin.  Of  Merops 
revoild,  another  discovery  of  M.  Oustalet,  we  have  already 
spoken  in  our  notice  of  RevoiFs  collections  in  Somali-land 
(Ibis^  1883^  p.  107).  M.  Oustalet  observes  that  the  figure 
of  the  bird  there  given  is  defective  in  several  particulars. 
Next  M.  Oustalet  proceeds  to  sj)cak  of  several  interesting 
species  of  which  examples  are  in  the  ornithological  collections 
made  by  M.  Marche  in  the  Philippines — Pitta  kochi  (of 
which  the  young  plumage  is  described),  jEthopyga  jlagrans, 
and  Pohjplectron  empjhanes,  all  from  the  island  of  Luzon.  A 
list  is  then  given  of  the  63  species  rej)resented  in  a  collection 
sent  to  the  Museum  by  Dr.  Harmand,  Consul  of  France  at 
Bangkok.  Lastly  the  author  enumerates  the  14  species  re- 
presented in  a  collection  lately  brought  by  Dr.  Vcrneau  from 
the  Canaries,  amongst  which  is  an  example  of  the  Shrike 
locally  known  as  "  I'Alcairon  •"  (?  Alcaudon,  the  common 
Spanish  name  for  any  Shrike),  which  some  previous  authors 
have  referred  to  Lanius  excubitor,  others  to  L.  algeriensis. 
M.  Oustalet  states  that  this  bird  is  astonishingly  like  L.  liido- 
vicianus  of  North  America,  and,  in  fact,  only  distinguishable 
by  its  rather  stronger  bill ! 

37.  Ramsay  on  the  Zoology  of  New  Guinea. 

[Contributions  to  tlie  Zoology  of  New  Guinea.  By  E.  P.  Ramsay, 
F.L.S.  &c.     Proc.  Linn.  Soc.  N.  S.  W.  viii.  p.  15.] 

Mr.  Ramsay's  eighth  contribution  to  this  engrossing  sub- 
ject (read  January  31st,  1883,  and  published  June  19th)  is 
based  upon  "  large  and  important  collections "  from  the 
slopes  of  the  Astrolabe  range  inland  from  Port  Moresby,  and 
is  of  special  interest,  as  showing  that  as  we  ascend  to  a  higher 
elevation  in  this  part  of  New  Guinea  we  meet  with  species 
previously  known  only  from  Mount  Arfak,  such  as  Ch'allina 
bruijnii,  Diphyllodes  chrysopterus,   Phlogcenas  rnfigvla,   and 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  211 

Ptilopus  bellus.  The  following  birds  are  described  as  new  : — 
Pcecilodryas  sylvia,  Myzomela  eques,  Eurostopodus  astrolabae, 
uEgotlieles  (?)  plumifera,  Paradisea  susannce,  Rhamphomantis 
rollesi,  Sittella  albifrons,  and  jEluracedus  melanocephalus,  all, 
apparently^  from  the  Astrolabe  range,  except  the  Paradisea, 
which  is  our  old  friend  Paradisea  decora  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  199, 
pi.  viii.)  from  D'Entrecasteaux  Islands.  There  are  likewise 
some  brilliant  novelties  in  eggs  described,  such  as  those  of 
Manucodia  atra,Paradisea  raggiana,SindDrepi2nornis  albertisi. 
In  the  last  case  Mr.  Hunstein  is  stated  to  have  shot  the  female 
on  the  nest.  The  eg^  is  "  of  a  light  dull  cream-colour,  with 
a  reddish  tinge,  spotted  all  over  with  oblong  dashes  of  reddish 
brown  and  light  purplish  grey,  closer  on  the  thick  end.'^ 

38.  Sharpe  on  the  Progress  of  Ornithology  in  1882. 

[Zoological  Record  for  1882.  Aves.  By  R.  Bowdler  Sharps,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.,  &c.     London:  1883.] 

The  task  of  preparing  the  section  "  Aves  "  of  our  '  Zoolo- 
gical Record,^  which  for  five  consecutive  years  had  been 
fulfilled  by  Saunders,  has  been  undertaken  for  1882  by 
Mr.  Sharpe,  whose  industry  seems  never  to  fail  when  orni- 
thological work  of  any  kind  is  required  to  be  done.  We  have 
every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  its  completeness.  Occasional 
misprints  (alas  !  we  know  it  too  well)  are  unavoidable ;  but 
on  turning  over  the  record  of  birds,  more,  we  think  we  must 
say,  have  met  our  eyes  than  should  have  escaped  careful 
supervision. 

But  what  has  much  interested  us  is  the  ''  arrangement " 
adopted  for  the  first  time  in  the  present  '  Hecord,^  which  is 
''  based  upon  the  British  Museum  Catalogue  of  Birds .^^  As  it 
is  understood  that  the  great  bird-gallery  of  the  new  Natural- 
History  Museum  will  be  set  in  order  upon  the  same  system, 
this  "arrangement"'  becomes  a  matter  of  primary  impor- 
tance, and  we  must  ask  our  friend  to  forgive  us  if  we  in- 
dulge in  a  few  criticisms  upon  it.  So  far  as  they  are  given 
here,  the  principal  divisions  adopted  run  in  the  following 
order : — Accipitres,Passeriformes,Picari8e,Psittaci,  Columbse, 


212  Recently  j^ubUshed  Ornithological  Works, 

Gallinae,  Geranomorphse,  Limicolsej  Gavise,  Tubinares,  He- 
rocliones,  Stenagopodes,  Anseres^  Pygopodes,  Impennes, 
Crypturi,  and  Ratitae.  This,  we  suppose,  is  a  kind  of  com- 
promise between  the  old  Grayian  system  and  the  new  scheme 
based  upon  Huxley's  ideas  lately  put  forward  in  '  The  Ibis ' 
and  elsewhere.  Now,  as  we  all  know,  it  is  impossible  to 
express  the  complications  of  natural  affinities  in  a  linear 
series ;  but  we  do  not  see  that  the  transfer  of  the  three  (obvi- 
ously allied)  orders  Herodiones,  Steganopodes,  and  Anseres  to 
the  lower  position  here  assigned  to  them  from  that  given  to 
them  in  the  system  just  alluded  to  possesses  any  advantages. 
At  the  same  time  it  entirely  destroys  the  symmetry  of  the 
great  Schizognathine  series,  into  the  middle  of  which  these 
Desmognathse  are  thus  thrust. 

Again,  we  cannot  understand  Mr.  Sharpens  reasons  for 
rejecting  the  old-fashioned  Linnean  term  Passeres.  now 
generally  in  use  for  the  mighty  army  of  "  small  birds."  The 
"  Passeriformes "  of  Garrod  and  Forbes  contain  half  the 
families  placed  by  Mr.  Sharpe  in  the  "  Picariae,''  the  other 
half  of  the  Picarians  being  designated  "  Piciformes"  f.  It  is 
quite  a  new  and  erroneous  employment  of  the  term  "  Passeri- 
formes "  to  use  it  as  an  equivalent  to  Passeres.  We  trust, 
therefore,  that  this  very  obvious  error  will  not  be  persisted  in. 

Mr.  Sharpe  does  not,  in  the  present  arrangement,  give 
any  subdivisions  of  his  Passeriformes,  i.  e.  Passeres.  But  as 
he  puts  the  non-Oscinine  families  at  the  end,  we  suppose 
that  he  recognizes  the  value  of  the  great  discoveries  of  Johann 
Miiller  as  regards  the  variation  of  the  Passerine  organs  of 
voice.  Such  being  the  case,  it  is  manifestly  incorrect  to 
place  the  Tyrannidse  between  the  Dendrocolaptidae  and  the 
Formicariidse.  The  two  last-named  groups  and  the  nearly 
allied  Pteroptochidse  are  the  only  known  families  of  birds 
that  possess  the  very  singular  structure  of  the  lower  larynx 
denominated  by  Miiller  "  tracheophonine,"  and  must  be  kept 
together  by  all  those  who  in  any  way  recognize  the  employ- 
ment of  the  variations  of  laryngal  structure  in  the  classifi- 
cation of  the  Passeres. 

*  See  P.  Z.  S.  1874,  p.  21.5, 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  21 3 

As  regards  the  typical  Oscines,  they  are  all  so  nearly  allied 
that  the  particular  order  selected  is  perhaps  hardly  material. 
But  it  is  obvious  that  the  families  with  nine  primaries  only 
and  those  with  the  first  (or  outermost)  nearly  aborted  present 
an  extreme  modification  of  the  avian  type.  They  should 
therefore  be  either  first  or  last^  and  not  in  the  middle  of  the 
ten-priraaried  Oscines,  as  is  effected  by  commencing  with  the 
Crows  and  ending  with  the  Starlings. 

In  conclusion^  we  are  glad  to  see  that  Cinclus  is  no  longer 
to  be  left  as  a  genus  of  Troglodytinse,  and  that  the  Myiades- 
tidae^  Pycnonotidse,  and  Mimidse  are  divorced  from  their 
unnatural  association  with  the  Timeliidse.  But  we  regret  to 
see  that^  although  we  believe  Mr.  Sharpe  has  now  been  con- 
vinced not  to  put  his  trust  in  "  chin-angles/^  the  "  Priono- 
pidse "  still  remain  as  a  family,  instead  of  being  dispersed 
into  the  various  elements  of  which  this  mongrel  group  was 
originally  composed. 

39.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  o/Podasocys  montanus. 

[Observations  upon  the  Osteology  of  Podasocys  montamis.  By  R.  W. 
Shufeldt,  M.D.     Journ.  Anat.  &  Phys.  vol.  xviii.  p.  80.] 

Dr.  Shufeldt  gives  us  here  one  of  his  excellent  essays  upon 
avian  osteology.  Podasocys  montanus  is  a  rare  mountain 
Plover,  of  which  skeletons  were  obtained  from  specimens 
collected  on  the  arid  plains  of  Wyoming  in  1879.  Except 
in  the  form  of  the  lacrymal,  and  in  the  relative  size  of  the 
ossified  prefrontal  processes  of  the  ethmoid,  the  osseous 
structure  of  this  Plover  differs  in  no  essential  particular  from 
that  of  Charadrius. 

40.  Taczanowski' s  Second  List  of  Birds  from  Kamtschatka. 

[Liste  supplementaire  des  Oiseaux  recueillis  par  le  Dr.  Dybowski  au 
Kamtschatka  et  aux  iles  Comandores.  Par  L.  Taczanowski.  Bull.  Soc. 
Zool.  France,  1883,  p.  329.] 

This  is  a  continuation  of  the  former  paper  (c/l  Ibis,  1883^ 
p.  575),  and  enumerates  Q7  species,  making  the  total  number 
of  Kamtschatkan  species  obtained  by  Dybowski  134,  and 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  R 


214  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

raising  the  number  of  East- Siberian  birds  enumerated  by  the 
author  in  his  various  papers  to  about  462.  Detailed  descrip- 
tions are  given  of  Tetrao  camtschaticus,  Kitthtz,  a  form  nearly 
allied  to  Tetrao  urogalloides,  Midd.^  and  Colymbus  adamsi 
is  sliown  to  be  perfectly  distinct  from  C.  glaciulis.  The  new 
name  Poecilia  maci'ura  is  given  to  the  form  from  Baikal  pre- 
viously described  in  the  'Bulletin^  of  1882  as  P.  borealis. 


XXIV. — Letters,  Announcements,  S^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 

Editorsof  ^  The  Ibis:'  — 

Florence,  Feb.  21,  1884. 

Sirs, — With  regard  to  the  Coccyzus  americanus  shot  near 
Turin,  and  mentioned  in  my  former  letter  (Ibis,  1881,  p.  115), 
I  am  glad  to  say  that  my  friend  Prof.  Giglioli,  acting  with  cha- 
racteristic energy  and  promptitude,  has  succeeded  in  rescuing 
it  from  the  unworthy  use  to  which  it  had  been  put,  and  that  it 
now  forms  an  important  addition  to  his  most  interesting  and 
complete  collection  of  Italian  birds.  He  has  also  added  to 
the  collection  another  nearly  adult  specimen  of  Porphyrio 
alleni,  which  was  killed  near  Modica,  in  the  south-east  of 
Sicily,  Dec.  1881.  This  makes  the  third  Italian-killed 
specimen  of  this  species  actually  in  existence,  the  other  two 
having  been  procured  in  the  marsh  of  Massaciuccoli,  between 
Pisa  and  Viareggio.  One  of  these,  nearly  adult,  is  in  the 
Museum  of  Florence ;  the  other,  much  younger,  in  that  of 

Pisa*. 

I  am  &c., 

E.  Cavendish  Taylor. 


Zoological  Museum,  Turin, 
March  10,  18S4. 

Sirs, — Our  latest  authority  on  the  Turdidse,  Mr.  Seebohm, 
in  the  fifth  volume  of  the  Catalogue  of  Birds  in  the  British 

[*  It  may  be  remembered  that  there  is  an  immature  example  of  this 
species  in  the  Museum  of  Madrid,  obtained  by  Don  Angel  Guirao,  near 
the  Mar  menor  in  South-eastern  Spain,  in  the  autumn  of  1854  (c/.  H. 
Saunders,  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  Fr.  1877,  p.  188).— Edd.] 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  215 

Museum^  published  in  1881,  makes  no  remarks  on  that  curious 
bird  which  was  named  Merula  dactyloptera  by  Bonaparte.  He 
does  not  seem  even  to  be  aware  of  Bonaparte^s  description, 
as  among  the  synonyms  of  Merula  merula,  p.  236,  he  quotes 
Turdus  dactylopterus,  Bp.,  fide  Gray,  Hand-list  B.  i.  p.  255, 
n.  3714  (1869).  In  my  opinion  more  completeness  and  care 
would  be  desirable  in  such  a  standard  work  as  that  mentioned, 
in  which  at  least  all  the  more  important  references  ought  to 
be  included. 

Besides  this  I  wish  to  point  out  that  in  the  history  of  this 
bird  there  has  crept  an  important  error  as  regards  the  locality 
from  which  it  came. 

The  references  belonging  to  the  Hook-winged  Ouzel,  or 
Blackbird,  are  the  following  : — 

Merula  daciijloptera,  Bp.  Compt.  Rend.  Ac,  Sc.  Paris, 
xliii.  p.  412  (1856) ;  id.  Institut,  1856,  p.  313 ;  Owen,  Philos. 
Trans,  vol.  153.  p.  39,  note  (1863) ;  Parker,  P.  Z.  S.  1863, 
p.  515. 

Turdus  dactylopterus,  Sclat.  Ibis,  1881,  p.  279 ;  Swinh. 
Ibis,  1864,  p.  364  j  Sharpe  &  Dresser,  Birds  of  Eur.  pt.  x. 
p.  10  (1872)  ;  Gigl.  Icon.  Avif.  Ital.  sp.  104  (1883). 

Turdus  [Merula)  dactylopterus,  G.  R.  Gray,  Hand-list,  i. 
p.  255,  no.  3714  (1869). 

Merula  dactylopterus,  Gieb.  Thes.  Orn.  ii.  p.  578  (1875). 

Sharpe  and  Dresser  have  given  a  woodcut  of  the  wing  of 
M.  dactyloptera,  type,  and  they  have  expressed  the  opinion 
that  the  bird  is  an  individual  variation  of  Turdus  merula ; 
"  f or,-*^  they  say,  "  it  must  be  remembered  that,  although 
many  people  have  visited  Palestine  and  Syria,  no  one  has  ever 
succeeded  in  getting  a  second  specimen  of  the  bird,  and  Bona- 
parte^s  type  still  remains  unique  in  the  Paris  Museum.^' 

Prof.  Giglioli,  who  has  inspected  the  type  specimen,  agrees 
with  Sharpe  and  Dresser,  and  I,  too,  am  inclined  to  be  of  the 
same  opinion.  But  I  must  point  out  that  Sharpe  and  Dresser^s 
remark  as  to  the  bird  never  having  been  found  again  in  Pales- 
tine and  Syria  has  no  value,  since  I  have  discovered  that  it  did 
not  come  from  there,  but  from  the  neighbourhood  of  Smyrna, 
in  Asia  Minor. 


216  Letters,  Announcements,  S^c. 

In  a  copy  of  Bonaparte's  paper  in  wliich  Merula  dady- 
loptera  was  described,  belonging  to  ray  friend  the  late  Marquis 
Orazio  Antinori,  there  is  a  manuscript  note  by  him,  which 
I  translate,  and  which  runs  as  follows  : — "  The  Blackbird  of 
which  the  author  (Bonaparte)  speaks  was  found  by  me,  not  in 
Syria,  but  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Smyrna,  in  Asia  Minor, 
and  it  was  sent  by  me  to  Bonaparte  in  Paris  with  the  name 
Merula  imguiculata.  I  believe  that  it  is  not  a  good  species, 
but  only  a  variety  of  Merula  vulgaris'' 

It  follows  from  this  that  in  case  of  Merula  dacUjloptera  not 
being  an  abnormal  variation,  researches  should  be  made  near 
Smyrna  to  have  the  chance  of  finding  it  again. 

I  am  &c., 

T.  Salvadori. 


Ridgwaij  Ornithological  Club. — The  Ridgway  Ornithological 
Club  of  Chicago,  111.,  held  its  regular  monthly  meeting  on 
February  7th.  Donations  of  specimens  and  books  were  re- 
ceived, and  three  new  members  elected.  Mr.  Gault  exhibited 
a  specimen  of  a  hybrid  between  a  Coot  and  a  Gallinule,  and 
Mr.  Raddin  showed  an  albino  red-tailed  Hawk.  A  paper  by 
Dr.  Morris  Gibbs,  of  Howard  City,  Mich.,  on  the  "  Genus 
Empidonax,''  was  read ;  also  papers  by  Mr.  H.  K.  Coale  on 
"  Summer  Birds  of  Hyde  Park,  111.,  and  Winter  Birds  of 
Stark  County,  Indiana.""  The  Club  was  presented  with  a 
life-sized  portrait  of  Prof.  Ridgway,  Avith  his  best  wishes. 

Eurynorhynchus  pygnuBUS. — Dr.  Hartlaub  writes  to  us  that 
the  Bremen  Collection  has  lately  received  a  fine  specimen  of 
this  eccentric  Wader  from  the  island  of  Hainan,  where  it 
was  shot  by  Herr  Schomberg. 

Expedition  to  Kilimanjaro. — Mr.  H.  H.  Johnston,  whose 
recently  issued  volume  on  the  Congo  we  propose  to  notice  in 
our^next  number,  left  England  on  the  4th  of  April  last,  en 
route  for  Zanzibar.  Mr.  Johnston  goes  out  at  the  expense  of 
the  Royal  Society  and  the  British  Association,  for  the  special 
purpose  of  investigating  the  flora  and  fauna  of  Mount  Kili- 
manjaro. 


THE    IBIS. 


FIFTH   SERIES. 


No.  VII.     JULY  1884. 


XXV. — Additional  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 
By   Thomas   Ayres.      Communicated    by   John    Henry 

GURNEY. 

[Continued  from  '  The  Ibis/  1880,  p.  273.] 

[In  the  following  Notes  such  species  as  Mr.  Ayres  had  not 
previously  recorded  from  Transvaal  are  numbered  consecu- 
tively with  his  former  lists. — J.  H.  G.] 

358.  CiRCAETus  ciNEREUs,  Vicill.  Cinereous  Harrier- 
Eagle. 

Female,  shot  in  the  Rustenburg  district,  July  20,  1882. 
Length  in  the  flesh  28  inches,  5  feet  across  the  wings.  Bill 
horn-colour,  nearly  black ;  legs  ashy ;  eye  yellow. 

Female,  from  the  same  locality,  shot  November  7,  1882. 
Length  in  the  flesh  28'50  inches.  Bill  dusky,  ashy  about 
the  base ;  tarsi  and  feet  dingy  white. 

One  of  these  specimens  was  gorged  to  the  chin  with  two 
large  snakes,  each  at  least  4  feet  long,  and  swallowed  whole. 

This  species  is  found  about  the  Klooft  at  Magaliesbergeu. 
It  is  solitary  in  its  habits,  and  settles  on  trees,  generally  on 
the  tops  of  those  of  which  the  foliage  is  dense  ;  when  sitting 
it  erects  the  frill  at  the  back  of  the  head,  which  gives  it  a 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  s 


Tarsus. 

Middle  toe  s.  u. 

Culmen  s.  c. 

in. 

in. 

in. 

3-75 

2-oO 

2-10 

3-05 

2-45 

2-15 

218       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

crested  appearance.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  C.  cinereus 
is  quite  distinct  from  C.  pectorulis,  and  I  should  not  think 
that  any  one  seeing  both  species  in  the  flesh  covild  suppose 
them  to  be  the  same,  though  both  are  snake-eating  Eagles. 

[I  have  taken  the  following  additional  measurements  from 
these  two  specimens,  which  may  be  compared  with  those 
recorded  in  'The  Ibis'  for  1878,  p.  163,  and  for  1880, 
p.  258:— 

Wing. 
in. 
No.  1   22-40 

The  upper  surface  in  both  birds  is  entirely  of  a  dark 
brown,  except  that  in  No.  1  the  feathers  of  the  upper  tail- 
coverts  are  crossed  by  an  imperfect  white  bar  near  the  base 
and  are  also  tipped  with  white ;  the  tail  in  both  specimens 
exhibits  three  cross  bars  of  brownish  grey  and  a  narrow 
white  tip,  the  interspaces  being  blackish  brown. 

With  the  exception  of  two  white  cross  bars  and  a  white 
tip  on  the  feathers  of  the  under  tail-coverts,  the  entire  under 
surface  in  both  birds  is  dark  brown,  with  no  white  bases  to 
the  feathers,  except  to  a  very  slight  extent  on  the  abdomen 
in  No.  1.— J.  H.  G.] 

Circus  macrurus  (Gmel.).     Swainson's  Harrier. 

These  Harriers  have  a  fine  time  of  it  when  the  farmers 
shoot  the  numerous  Finches  [Evplectes  taha,  Chera  progne, 
&c.)  which  destroy  so  much  of  their  corn ;  the  Harriers  are 
then  particularly  busy  coursing  over  the  fields  and  stubbles 
for  wounded  birds,  from  which  they  get  many  a  good  meal. 
Although  their  flight  when  hunting  is  usually  rather  leisurely 
and  somewhat  wavering,  it  is  astonishing  with  what  raj^idity 
they  apparently  turn  over  and  seize  their  victim,  be  it  chicken 
or  other  bird ;  the  swarms  of  Finches  often  dart  into  the 
thickest  parts  of  the  nearest  leafy  trees  on  the  approach  of 
their  enemy  and  wait  till  the  danger  is  past. 

[In  '  The  Ibis '  for  1871,  p.  148,  Mr.  Ayres  remarked  that 
this  species  is  only  found  in  Transvaal  during  the  southern 
summer,  in  illustration  of  which  I  may  mention  that  of  ten 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.       219 

Transvaal  specimens  which  he  has  sent  me,  two  were  shot  in 
November,  one  in  December,  four  in  January,  one  in  Feb- 
ruary, and  two  in  March. — J.  H.  G.] 

AsTURiNULA  MONOGRAMMiCA  (Tcmm.) .  One  -  streaked 
Hawk. 

Male,  immature,  shot  near  Rustenburg,  30th  June,  1882. 
Eye  brown ;  legs  and  cere  red. 

Male,  adult,  same  locality,  21st  July,  1882.  Eye  dark 
brick-red;  legs  and  cere  red.  The  stomach  of  this  speci- 
men contained  the  remains  of  a  large  lizard.  In  habits  this 
species  resembles  the  Bush-Hawks;  it  settles  on  high  trees, 
but  not  on  the  top ;  it  is  quick  on  the  wiug,  but  is  usually 
not  so  shy  as  most  others  of  its  family. 

ScELospiziAS  POLYZONOIDES  (Smith).  Smith's  Many -banded 
Hawk. 

Female,  adult,  shot  29th  June,  1881. 

JNIale,  immature  in  change  to  adult  dress,  shot  17th  July, 
a  882. 

This  species  is  never  plentiful,  but  more  are  to  be  seen  in 
our  winter  than  in  our  summer  months,  possibly  in  conse- 
quence of  the  foliage  being  then  less  dense.  The  stomach 
of  one  of  the  specimens  sent  contained  mice. 

359.  NiSAETUs  BELLicosus  (Daud.).     Martial  Hawk-Eagle. 

A  friend  of  mine,  with  whom  I  was  out  shooting  on  the 
hills  a  few  miles  from  Potchefstroom,  managed  to  kill  a 
magnificent  Eagle  of  this  species  which  had  been  making  a 
meal  off  a  steinbuck. 

[Mr.  Ayres  was  not  able  to  send  me  this  specimen,  but  I 
have  no  doubt  that  he  correctly  identified  it. 

I  have  recently  been  informed  by  Count  T.  Salvadori  that 
a  collection  made  in  Schoa  by  the  late  Marquis  Antinori 
contains  no  less  than  seven  exaiuples  of  this  fine  species. — 
J.  H.  G.] 

3G0.  NisAETUs  spiLOGASTER  (Du  Bus) .  Du  Bus's  Hawk- 
Eagle.  • 

Female,   adult,   shot   near  Bustenburg,  29th  June,  1882. 

s2 


220       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

Length  2G  inches^  tail  12,  uing  IG'oO.  Eye  yellow;  toes 
greenish  yellow  ;  cere  greenish  ;  bill  black.  This  Eagle 
swooped  down  from  the  mountain  and  seized  a  Rameron 
Pigeon  which  my  brother  had  wounded ;  he  fired  at  it  and 
missed^  but  it  only  flew  a  few  yards  and  settled  on  a  dead 
tree^  evidently  not  liking  to  give  up  its  prey^  and  remaining 
there  till  he  loaded  again  and  shot  it.  Another  of  these 
Eagles  caught  a  full-grown  fowl  and  ate  it  within  a  foot  of 
the  back  wall  of  my  brother's  house.  This  Eagle  is  exceed- 
ingly destructive  to  poultry ;  descending  from  the  highest 
parts  of  the  mountains^  it  skims  quietly  close  to  the  ground, 
and,  covered  by  any  convenient  clump  of  bushes  or  trees,  it 
alights  on  the  ground  as  near  as  it  can,  and  running  among 
the  grass  or  other  cover,  seizes  an  unhappy  fowl  from  amongst 
the  frightened  lot  and  proceeds  to  eat  it  on  the  spot.  It  is 
very  quick  on  the  wing,  and,  though  very  fearless  when 
hungry,  is  generally  very  shy  and  difficult  to  approach.  Its 
vision  is  wonderfully  good ;  my  brother  one  day  shot  at  and 
slightly  wounded  a  little  Elanus  cceruleus,  when  a  pair  of 
these  Eagles  swooped  down  with  the  greatest  velocity  from 
the  top  of  the  mountain,  a  good  mile  away,  and  immediately 
gave  chase  to  the  Elanus^  Avhich  for  a  long  time  evaded  its 
fate  by  dodging  its  powerful  enemies,  but  was  at  last  seized 
just  as  the  three  disappeared  behind  some  trees. 

The  above  observations  are  the  result  of  my  brother's  ex- 
perience of  these  Eagles ;  I  have  myself  only  seen  them  at  a 
great  distance,  soaring  quietly  about  the  highest  part  of  the 
Magaliesbergen. 

361.  Aquila  waiilbergi,  Sund.     Wahlberg's  Eagle. 

Male,  shot  near  Rustenburg,  20th  December,  1882.  Iris 
hazel ;  bill  black,  but  bluish  towards  the  base ;  gape,  cere, 
and  feet  jmle  yellow.  Length  23'50  inches.  Stomach  con- 
tained a  small  lizard. 

Wahlberg's  Eagle  is  not  unfrequently  met  with  amongst 
the  Magaliesbergen,  either  singly  or  in' pairs.  On  one  occa- 
sion my  brother  saw  two  of  them  attacking  something  on 
the  ground,  in  turn  darting  down  and  rising  again,  until  at 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  OrnitJiology  of  Transvaal.       221 

length  both  birds  alighted^  and  on  my  brother  going  to  the 
spot  he  found  that  they  had  killed  and  had  already  partially 
devoured  a  very  large  and  j)oisonous  snake  called  by  the 
Boers  the  "  Swart  Ring-hals/^ 

Aquila  verreauxi,  Less.     Verreaux's  Eagle. 

Male,  very  nearly  adult^  shot  near  Rustenburg,  October 
1882.  Iris  hazel;  bill  whitish  ashy,  but  darker  towards  the 
tip ;  cere  light  yellow,  this  tint  extending  also  on  to  the 
basal  portion  of  the  bill ;  bare  skin  about  the  eye  light  yel- 
low; feet  dirty  yellow.     Length  29  inches. 

This  is  the  only  specimen  of  this  lovely  Eagle  which  has 
fallen  to  my  gun;  but  amongst  the  Magaliesbergen  it  is  not 
uncommon,  and  is  always,  according  to  my  observation,  in 
pairs.  It  is  conspicuous  from  its  jet-black  plumage  and  white 
back.  It  nests  on  the  ledges  of  precipices^  generally  choos- 
ing such  as  are  inaccessible.  The  Boers  say  that  it  usually 
hunts  in  couples,  carrying  oflP  their  young  goats,  fowls,  &c. ; 
they  also  assert  that  when  it  finds  a  ^'^  klipspringer^'  (our 
chamois)  on  the  edge  of  a  precipice,  it  dashes  at  it  with 
wonderful  force,  and  knocking  off  its  victim,  follows  it  with 
such  velocity  as  to  reach  it  almost  immediately  after  it  has 
been  killed  by  its  fall  on  the  rocks  below ;  it  is  even  said 
that  the  much  larger  "  Rehbuck  "  frequently  shares  the  same 
fate,  and  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  truth  of  the  statement. 

When  this  Eagle  is  freshly  killed  its  powerful  build  is  very 
noticeable,  as  are  also  its  wonderfully  heavy  and  powerful 
legs  and  its  enormous  feet  and  claws. 

The  specimen  now  sent  I  shot  amongst  the  mountains. 
Observing  two  of  them,  probably  a  pair,  I  sat  down  amongst 
some  rocks  on  the  edge  of  a  precipice  and  waited  till,  as 
they  were  circling  about,  the  cock  bird  came  within  range  of 
an  A  A  A,  which  brought  him  down  to  the  bottom;  I  waited 
a  little  longer  before  descending  to  secure  my  prize,  and  by 
doing  so  I  very  nearly  obtained  the  other  also. 

362.  TiNNUNCULUS  PEKiNENsis,  Swiuh.  Eastern  Grey- 
winged  Kestrel. 

[Mr.  Ayres  has  sent  two  adult  male  Kestrels,  which  appear 


223       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

to  me  to  be  refcral)le  to  tlie  doubtfully  distinct  Oriental  race 
of  T.  cenchris,  for  which  the  late  Mr.  Swinhoe  proposed  the 
subspecific  appellation  of  T,  pekinensis ,  and  in  which  the 
grey  on  the  wing-coverts  reaches  to  the  carpal  joint  with  but 
very  little  admixture  of  rufous.  The  occurrence  of  these 
specimens  in  South-eastern  Africa  is  probably  analogous  to 
that  of  Erijthropus  amurensis,  indicating  a  migration  from 
India  to  Africa;  unless,  indeed,  some  w^estern  specimens  assi- 
milate in  coloration  to  those  of  the  east ;  but  I  have  seen 
none  such  from  either  Europe  or  Western  Asia,  and  none 
from  Africa,  excepting  the  two  now  referred  to.  Of  these, 
one  was  shot  about  thirty  miles  from  Potchefstroom  on  27th 
January,  and  a  female,  which  may  probably  also  belong  to 
the  eastern  race,  Avas  shot  on  the  same  day  and  at  the  same 
place ;  but  I  may  mention  that  the  females  of  the  two  races 
are  not  distinguishable.  Some  normal  males  of  T.  cenchris 
■were  al^o  killed  in  the  same  locality  within  a  h\Y  days  of 
the  same  date ;  and  Mr.  Ayres  notes  that  they  were  there 
''in  considerable  numbers,"  possibly  attracted  by  locusts, 
on  which  one  of  the  birds  shot  was  found  to  have  been 
feeding. 

The  other  male  of  T.  pekinensis  was  obtained  at  Potchef- 
stroom in  the  month  of  June,  wdiich,  I  believe,  is  an  un- 
usual time  of  year  for  the  occurrence  in  South  Africa  of 
T.  pekinensis. 

The  specimens  sent  by  Mr.  Ayres  have  been  added  to  the 
collection  in  the  Norwich  Museum. —  J.  H.  G.] 

Caprim  ULCUS  EUROPTEUS,  Linn.     European  Goatsucker. 
Male,  Rustenburg,   IJth  February,  1880.     Stomach  con- 
tained large  dung-beetles. 

Cypselus  caffer,  Licht.     African  White-rumped  Swift. 

A  pair  of  these  Swifts  took  possession,  as  usual,  of  a 
Swallow's  nest  under  the  eaves  of  my  house;  and  the  last  lot 
of  young  Swifts,  two  in  number,  were  nearly  ready  to  fly  in 
the  beginning  of  March,  by  which  time  most  birds  of  this 
species  had  left  this  part  of  the  country. 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.       223 

Merops  nubicoides,  DesMurs.  Carmine-tliroated  Bee- 
eater. 

Male  and  female.  Iris  umber-brown ;  bill  black ;  tarsi 
and  feet  dingy  ash-brown. 

1  found  a  fair  sprinkling  of  these  very  handsome  Bee- 
eaters  on  the  Eland's  river  in  the  Rustenburg  district  in 
January  1883  ;  the  nearly  fall-grown  young  birds  were  with 
the  old  ones.  This  Bee-eater  is  much  tamer  and  more  easy 
to  approach  than  most  of  the  genus^  but  it  is  not  often  met 
with. 

363.  Merops  apiaster,  Linn.     European  Bee-eater. 

Three  specimens  sent,  shot  in  December  (2n(l),  January 
(26th),  and  February. 

This  species  was  very  plentiful  in  the  Rustenburg  district 
during  February  and  March  1882,  and  again  during  our 
summer  in  the  following  year. 

Ceryle  maxima  (Pall.).     Great  African  Kingfisher. 

Female,  shot  4tli  February. 

In  this  specimen  the  tail-feathers  seem  to  have  been  shed 
all  at  once,  and  the  partly-grown  new  feathers  to  be  making 
their  appearance  in  the  same  way.  It  is  a  scarce  species 
throughout  this  country. 

CucuLUs  CANORUs,  Liuu.     European  Cuckoo. 

[Mr.  Ayres  sends  two  males,  both  shot  on  the  same  farm, 
about  thirty  miles  from  Potchefstroom,  one  on  the  21st 
January,  1879,  the  date  when  the  other  was  procured  being 
unfortunately  not  recorded  ;  each  of  the  birds  had  been  feed- 
ing on  caterpillars.  Both  birds  show  marks  of  immaturity, 
but  have  attained  the  adult  dress,  with  the  exception  of  some 
slight  remains  of  the  previous  plumage  on  the  jugulum  and 
abdomen,  and  excepting  also  a  few  primaries  belonging  to 
the  immature  dress,  and,  in  the  case  of  the  specimen  of  which 
the  date  is  recorded,  a  few  feathers  of  similar  age  in  the 
wing- coverts. 

1  have  at  different  times  received  from  Mr.  Ayres  five 
South-African  specimens  of  the  European  Cuckoo,  including 


224       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

the  above^  all  of  which  have  exhibited  slight  remains  of  im- 
mature plumage. 

It  occasionally  happens  that  yoxing  Cuckoos  commence 
the  assumption  of  the  adult  dress  before  leaving  England  ;  I 
have  recently  seen  two  such  (one  killed  on  the  1st,  the  other 
on  the  2nd  of  September)  which  had  acquired  some  adult 
rectrices,  and  one  of  which  also  showed  a  considerable  patch 
of  adult  plumage  on  the  throat  and  upper  breast. — J.  II.  G.] 

Chrysococcyx  cupreus  (Bodd.).     Didric  Cuckoo. 

I  Avas  informed  that  towards  the  end  of  our  summer  in 
1880  these  Cuckoos  were  to  be  found  in  hundreds  along  the 
Rhinoster  river,  near  Cronscadt,  where  they  were  doubtless 
collecting  to  migrate.  Transvaal  seems  to  be  one  of  their 
chief  breeding-countries,  the  Sparrow  [Passer  arcuatus)  being 
their  most  frequent  foster-parent. 

[Judging  from  the  specimens  sent  to  me  by  Mr.  Ayres, 
the  sexes  in  this  species  are  alike  when  fully  adult,  except 
that  in  the  female  the  upper  breast  is  suffused  with  a  very 
slight  tinge  of  fulvous,  and  that,  according  to  the  memoranda 
attached  to  the  skins  by  Mr.  Ayres,  the  eyelid  is  "  crimson  " 
in  the  male  and  "^  dusky '^  in  the  female.  Mr.  Ayres  has 
also  sent  several  memoranda  as  to  the  colour  of  the  bill, 
which  in  young  birds  is  "  orange-red  "  or  "  light  red-brown,"' 
altering  as  the  bird  grows  older  till,  when  it  is  adult,  the  bill 
is  black,  with  an  ''  ashy  pale  "  base  to  the  lower  mandible ; 
on  the  other  hand  tiie  iris,  which  is  noted  as  ''red'"  in  the 
adult  male  and  ''dull  red"  iu  the  adult  female,  in  younger 
birds  is  either  "  light  grey,'"  "  tawny  ash-colour,"  or  "  light 
tawny  brown." 

I  have  received  from  Mr.  Ayres  specimens  of  this  Cuckoo 
killed  in  Transvaal  in  the  months  of  October,  December, 
January,  February,  and  March. — J.  11.  G.] 

364.  CoccYSTEs  CAFFER  (Licht.) .     Levaillant's  Cuckoo. 

Three  females,  shot  in  the  Eustenburg  district,  3rd  No- 
vember, 1882,  17th  January  and  4th  February,  1883.  Iris 
dark  brown  or  dusky  umber ;  bill  black ;  tarsi  and  feet  ash- 
colour.     Caterpillars  iu  stomach  of  one  specimen. 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.       225 

This  very  fine  Cuckoo  was  tolerably  plentiful  during  our 
spring  months  (October  and  November)  in  1882  all  about 
the  wooded  parts  of  the  Magaliesbergen^  becoming  scarcer  as 
the  summer  came  on.  It  is  shy  and  difficult  to  approach, 
but  its  loud  harsh  cries  often  attract  attention ;  it  is  not 
unfrequently  mobbed  by  small  birds. 

Centropus  senegalensis  (Linn.).  Burchell's  Spur-heel 
Cuckoo. 

Male,  Potchefstroom,  June  1882.  Iris  blood-red  ;  bill 
light  ashy,  but  black  on  the  ridge  and  at  the  tip ;  tarsi  and 
feet  bluish  ashy.  Stomach  contained  a  mixed  cargo  of  grass- 
hoppers, large  bugs  (very  strong-smelling),  a  large  lizard's 
tail,  and  a  good  sprinkling  of  era]) -shells. 

Female,  Rustenburg,  December  18,  1882.  Iris  red;  tarsi 
and  feet  ash-colour. 

This  species  appears  to  be  gradually  on  the  increase  in  the 
Potehefstroom  district ;  as  each  successive  summer  comes 
round,  I  hear  more  and  more  its  monotonous  and  melancholy 
note,  not  unfrequently  even  in  the  thick  hedgerows  of  the 
town  itself ;  but  being  exceedingly  shy  and  retiring  in  its 
habits,  it  is  not  often  seen.  In  the  wooded  country  of  the 
Rustenburg  district  it  is  far  more  common,  especially  along 
the  streams ;  it  builds  a  clumsy  nest  of  coarse  grass  in  the 
low  bush  and  lays  white  eggs. 

[As  this  is  a  very  variable  species,  it  may  be  worth  while 
to  add  a  few  particulars  of  the  two  specimens  above  referred 
to ;  the  following  are  the  principal  measurements  : — 


Total  length. 

Wing. 

Tai-sus. 

Middletoes.  M, 

in. 

in. 

in. 

in. 

Male  (in  the  flesh)  . . 

.  .      15-50 

6-25 

1-60 

1-15 

Female  (in  the  skin) 

.  .     16-25 

7-10 

1-80 

1-30 

The  plumage  of  the  male  agrees  with  the  description  given 
in  Sharpens  Layard,  p.  163,  except  that  the  under  wing- 
coverts  are  a  rich  rufous  brown  instead  of  being  "pale  buff /^ 
the  secondaries  are  also  crossed  by  numerous  bars  of  brownish 
black,  which  may  probably  be  the  remains  of  immature 
plumage.    The  female  differs  from  the  male  in  the  absence  of 


226       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Onutliolorjy  of  Transvaal. 

tliese  bars,  and  also  in  the  bill  being  entirely  black,  and  the 
head  and  nape,  especially  the  latter,  much  more  richly  glossed 
with  dark  bluish  green. — J.  H.  G.] 

BvRBATULA  EXTONi,  Layard.     Exton^s  Barbet. 

My  friend  Mr.  Lucas  found  a  nest  of  this  little  Barbet 
with  young  ones  in  December  ;  the  birds  had  bored  a  hole  in 
the  rotten  bough  of  a  tree  in  the  woods  of  the  Magalies- 
bergen,  where  this  species  is  plentiful. 

CisTicoLA  ABEiiRANs  (Smith).     Aberrant  Fautail. 

I  feel  pretty  sure  that  Mr.  Gurney  was  right  in  stating,  in 
'The  Ibis^  for  1880,  p.  101,  that  C.  smithli  and  C.  aberrans 
are  distinct  species,  the  latter  being  much  the  scarcer  bird 
here,  and  found  in  the  scrub  of  the  open  plains,  Avhere  the 
former  is  seldom  met  with.  C.  smithi  is  about  the  commonest 
Warbler  of  the  warmer  and  wooded  parts  of  Transvaal,  which 
commence  on  the  northern  slopes  of  the  range  of  mountains 
called  "^  Wit-waters-raand."  This  range  forms  the  water- 
shed which  divides  the  streams  that  run  northward  into  the 
Limpopo  from  those  that,  flowing  southward,  empty  them- 
selves into  the  Vaal  river,  this  watershed  being  the  boundary 
between  the  open,  cold,  and  healthy  country  to  the  south, 
and  the  wooded,  hot,  and  more  fever-stricken  district  to  the 
north. 

CiNNYRis  MARiQUENSis,  Smith.  Southem  Bifasciated 
Sun-bird, 

This  Sun-bird  is  by  no  means  uncommon  along  the  banks 
of  the  Eland^s  river,  a  little  to  the  north  of  Rustenburg. 

[Tn  'The  Ibis,'  for  1871,  p.  150,  the  previous  note  of  Mr. 
Avres  on  this  species  is  given  under  the  head  of  "  Cimnjris 
bifasciata." — J.  LI.  G,] 

CiNNYRis  AMETHYSTiNUS  (Shaw) .     Amctliyst  Sun-bird. 

This  species  is  commum  amongst  the  Magaliesbergen, 
especially  during  our  winter  months,  June,  July,  and  August, 
when  it  is  in  its  brightest  plumage. 

CiNNYRis  TALATALA,  Smith.     Audcrssou's  Sun-bird. 

This  tiny  and  beautiful  Lloney-sucker  is  a  common  Maga- 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.        227 

lieshergen  species  both  in  winter  and  summer;  it  breerls,  as 
also  do  the  two  preceding  sjDecies,  amongst  the  bushes  in 
suital)le  localities. 

365.  Terpsiphone  perspicillata  (Swains.).  Tchitrec 
Flycatcber. 

This  species  is  sparsely  scattered  throughout  the  Maga- 
liesbergen,  freqnenting  well-wooded  ravines  and  valleys  ;  it 
disappears  during  our  winter  months,  returning  somewhat 
late  in  the  spring  ;  it  is  restless  in  its  habits,  shy,  and  ditfi- 
cult  to  shoot.  The  cock  birds  frequently  utter  a  short  but 
somewhat  sweet  little  song.  There  is  much  individual  vari- 
ation in  the  length  of  the  tail. 

MusciCAPA  GRisoLA,  Liuu.     Spotted  Flycatcher. 

This  species  is  a  regular  visitor  during  our  summer,  and, 
I  think,  is  then  universal  in  Transvaal  wherever  there  is 
bush,  but  never  plentiful,  and  always  either  solitary  or  in 
pairs. 

HiRUNDo  SEMIRUFA,  Suud.     Rufous-breastcd  Swallow. 

This  very  fine  Swallow  is  mucij  more  plentiful  in  the 
warmer  Rustenburg  district  than  in  the  open  and  colder 
country  round  Potchefstroom.  Last  year  a  pair  built  in  au 
old  brick- kiln  on  the  outskirts  of  the  village  of  llustenburg ; 
the  nest  much  resembled  that  of  H.  cucidluta. 

HiRUNDO  Di  MIDI  ATA,  Suud.     Pearly-brcastcd  Swallow. 

One  gusty  evening  in  March  1882  a  good  many  of  these 
little  Swallows  flew  wildly  past  in  the  gloaming,  apparently 
in  a  great  hurry. 

[These  were  perhaps  arriving  in  Transvaal  for  the  southern 
winter  (see  Mr.  Ayres's  note  in  'The  Ibis,'  1879,  p.  291). 
The  specimens  which  I  have  received  from  Transvaal  were 
ol)tained  in  May,  July,  August,  and  October,  which  scarcely 
accords  with  the  experience  of  the  late  Mr.  Andersson,  who, 
in  his  Damara-Land  notes,  p.  52,  speaks  of  having  seen  them 
on  the  Okavango  river  ''as  eaily  as  the  1st  of  September," 
of  their  arrival  in  Damara  Land  "  about  November,"  and 
of  their  nesting  in   that  country  in  December.     This   dif- 


228       Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornitholoyy  of  Transvaal. 

ference  of  habit  as  observed  in  South-eastern  and  South- 
western Africa  at  about  the  same  latitude  is^  I  think^  remark- 
able.—J.  H.  G.] 

3GG.  HiKUNDO  PUELLA,  Tcmm.  Lesser  Striped-breasted 
Swallow. 

Female,  Rustenburg,  11th  October.     Iris  greyish  brown. 

This  species  is  a  miniature  of  H.  cucullata,  inbabiting  the 
warm  bush-veldt  country,  apparently  from  the  Rustenburg 
district  northwards.  I  found  it  breeding  sparsely  in  small 
caves  (a  nest  in  each  cave)  in  the  banks  of  a  stream  near  tlie 
village;  the  eggs  are  white;  the  nest  much  resembles  that  of 
H.  cucullata,  but  is  smaller. 

[I  have  specimens  of  this  Swallow  collected  by  the  late 
Mr.  E.  C.  Ruxton  near  the  Lobombo  mountains,  on  the 
eastern  frontier  of  Transvaal. — J.  H.  G.] 

367.  Pholidauges  VERREAUxi,  Bocage.  Verreaux's  Glossy 
Thrush. 

This  species  is  very  plentiful  during  the  summer  months 
in  the  Rustenburg  district,  where  it  breeds  freely  in  all  suit- 
able localities ;  its  nest,  like  that  of  the  other  Grackles,  is 
placed  in  the  hole  of  a  tree,  and  is  lined  with  fre^^h  green 
soft  leaves. 

Hyphantornis  velatus  (Vieill.).  Black-veiled  Weaver- 
bird. 

The  birds  of  this  species  that  frequent  the  mountainous 
parts  of  the  Rustenburg  district,  where  the  country  is  wooded 
and  warm,  appear  to  me  to  be  very  much  smaller,  and  also 
much  brighter  in  plumage,  as  a  rule,  than  those  inhabiting 
the  more  open  plains  of  the  same  district  and  other  open 
parts  of  the  Transvaal.  Adapting  their  manners  to  circum- 
stances, they  hang  their  nests  to  low  bushes  and  trees  over- 
hanging the  streams,  whereas  in  the  open  country  their  nests 
are  usually  placed  between  two  reeds  in  the  swamps  or  on 
the  reedy  banks  of  rivers,  though  even  there  the  nests  are 
occasionally  to  be  found  hanging  from  the  outer  twigs  of 
trees.  The  eggs  of  the  smaller  race  vary  in  colour  just  as 
those  ol:  the  larger  and  less  gaudy  birds. 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.        2.29 

[The  smaller  race  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Ayres  appears  to  be 
that  to  "which  Vieillot  gave  the  specific  name  of  " velatus ;" 
his  description  (' Encycloj)edie  Methodiqne/  p.  701)  agrees 
better  with  it  than  "vvith  the  larger  race,  and  he  also  speaks 
of  its  occuiTcnce  in  Naraaqua  Land_,  which  accords  w^ith  the 
late  Mr.  Andersson^s  remark  that  it  "is  common  in  Damara 
Land  and  the  parts  adjacent^''  [vide  ^  Birds  of  Damara  Land/ 
p.  1G9).  The  larger  race,  if  admitted  as  subspecifically  distinct, 
will  bear  Sir  A.  Smith's  name  of  "  mnriquensis." 

I  recorded  the  two  races,  under  the  names  above  mentioned, 
in  'The  Ibis'  for  1871,  p.  254;  but  in  the  volume  for  1880, 
p.  106,  I  applied,  erroneously  as  I  now  believe,  that  of 
"  viteUinus ,"  instead  of  "  velatus,"  to  a  Transvaal  example  of 
the  smaller  race. 

I  have  taken  the  following  measurements,  which  may  be 
worth  recording : — 

H.  onariquensis  from  Potcliefstroom. 

Wing.  Tarsus.  Culmen. 

in.  in. 

0-90-1 -05  0-65-0-72 

0-80  0-62-0 -65 

H.  velatus  from  Rustenburg. 
Five  males    ....     2-90-3-20  0-70-0-85  O-oo-O-Go 

One  female    ....         2-80  0-75  0-60 

II.  velatus  from  Damara  Land. 
One  female    ....         2-80  0-70  0-50 

Measurements  taken  by  Mr.  Andersson  from  three  other 
specimens  of  i/.  velatus  will  be  found  at  p.  170  of  his  notes 
on  the  birds  of  Damara  Land. — J.  H.  G.] 

Pyromelana  TAHA  (Smith).     Taha  Bishop-bird. 

Notwithstanding  the  multitudes  of  this  species  and  of 
P.  oryx  that  were  killed  here  during  the  very  severe  snow- 
storm in  our  winter  of  1881,  their  numbers  now  (April  1882) 
seem  to  be  but  little  diminished ;  neither  is  Estrelda  subflava 
less  numerous  than  usual,  but  Estrelda  astrild  and  Vidua 
erythrorhyncha  are  very  noticeably   thinned.     The  snow  re- 


in. 

Four  males    .  . .  , 

,     3-20-3-50 

Three  females  .  , 

,     3-00-3-10 

230        Mr.  T.  A}  res  un  the  Ornitholoc/y  of  Transvaal. 

mained  on  the  ground  for  a  week  or  more,  covering  the  grass- 
seeds  on  Avhich  many  small  kinds  of  birds  feed ;  and  this, 
with  the  nnusual  cokl,  killed  a  marvellous  number  of  them, 
and  also  many  large  birds,  ])esides  a  great  number  of  ante- 
lopes and  other  animals. 

In  the  winter  season  flocks  of  this  species,  and  also  of 
P.  oryx  and  of  Quelea  sanguinirostris,  come  for  miles  up  the 
river  from  their  favourite  patches  of  reeds  in  the  swamps  where 
they  roost,  to  feed  on  the  minute  grass-seeds  in  the  old 
cultivated  ground  about  Potchefstroom,  returning  in  large 
flights  to  the  same  swamps  in  the  evening.  Although  the 
diff'erent  s[)ecies  feed  together,  often  also  in  company  with 
flocks  of  Passer  arcuatus,  so  closely  that  they  may  be  killed 
by  the  same  shot,  yet,  in  going  to  their  feeding-grounds  and 
in  returning  to  their  roosting-places,  the  birds  of  each  s2)ecics 
keep  by  themselves  in  separate  flocks,  notwithstanding  their 
habit  of  mingling  whilst  feeding. 

Passer  diffusus,  Smith.     Southern  Grey-headed  Sparrow. 

These  Sparrows  are  found  sparsely  in  the  town  of  Potclit^f- 
stroom,  and  appear  to  breed  in  the  same  localities  and  to 
make  much  the  same  kind  of  untidy  nest  as  P.  arcuatus  and 
our  English  Sparrow.  Last  season  a  pair  of  them  took 
possession  of  an  old  Swallow^s  nest,  but  were  driven  away  by 
P.  arcuatus. 

Petronia  petronella  (Licht.).  South-African  Ruck- 
Sparrow. 

This  species  affects  the  wooded  and  warm  country  where 
rocks  abound. 

Fringillaria  capensis  (Linn.).     Cape  Bunting. 

This  is  by  no  means  a  plentiful  bird  in  Transvaal,  as  far  as 
I  am  acquainted  with  it. 

[This  species  was  recorded  in  Mr.  Ayres^s  previous  lists 
of  Transvaal  birds  under  its  synonym  of  F.  vittata;  and  in 
'The  Ibis'  for  1878,  p.  297,  the  English  name  of  "  Ro<k- 
Bunting"  was  assigned  to  it,  which,  in  Mr.  Sharpe's  edition 
of  Mr.  Layard's  work,  is  applied  to  F.  tahajnsi. — J.  H.  G.J 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.       231 

Spizocorys  conirostris  (Sund.).     Pink-billed  Lark. 

During  the  month  of  August  1881  these  Larks  Avere  much 
more  plentiful  than  usual ;  on  the  open  flats  near  Potchef- 
stroom  one  put  them  up  at  almost  every  step. 

368.  MiRAFRA  NIGRICANS  (Suud.).     Walilbcrg^s  Lark. 

Male^  shot  lOtli  January,  1882.  Iris  hazel ;  bill  dusky, 
but  pale  at  the  base  of  the  under  mandible  ;  tarsi  and  feet 
yellowish  white.  Total  length  8  inches,  wing  4f,  tail  3, 
tarsus  If.      Stomach  contained  locusts. 

This,  to  me,  exceedingly  scarce  bird  was  shot  amongst  the 
hills  to  the  north  of  Hustenburg,  within  six  miles  of  the 
Crocodile  river ;  it  was  a  solitary  bird,  running  on  some  flat 
rocks  with  much  sheltering  scrub  about,  and  very  Fipit-like 
in  its  appearance  and  manners. 

[The  specimen  sent,  which  has  been  added  to  the  collec- 
tion of  the  British  Museum,  is  probably  a  younger  male  than 
that  described  and  figured  by  Du  Bocage  in  his  '  Ornithologie 
d^ Angola,^  p.  376,  pi.  8.  fig.  1.  When  killed  it  was  moulting, 
but  the  moult  was  nearly  completed,  though  the  2)i'iniaries 
and  some  of  the  rectrices  had  not  been  renewed;  all  the  new 
feathers  of  the  upper  surface  are  blackish  brown,  but  are 
edged  with  rufescent  fulvous,  except  the  secondaries,  which 
are  tipped  with  white ;  the  older  feathers  are  paler  than  the 
new  and  are  evidently  faded ;  the  under  surface  agrees  with 
the  description  and  figure  above  referred  to,  except  that  all 
the  white  portions  of  the  plumage  are  tinged  with  fulvous. — 
J.  H.  G.] 

Anthus  brachyurus,  Sund.     Short-taihd  Pipit. 

The  specimens  sent  were  shot  in  the  Rustenburg  district. 
These  Pipits  seem  to  be  veiy  locally  distributed  on  the  sloping 
sides  of  mountains  and  the  neighbouring  valley*,  where  bush 
and  trees  are  pretty  thickly  scattered  ;  they  are  frequently  to 
be  found  close  to  some  scrubby  bush,  and  on  being  ap- 
proached they  often  quietly  move  round  out  of  sight,  or  squat 
close,  and  then  rise  almost  under  one^s  feet  if  the  cover  is 
at  all  good.  Though  generally  alighting  on  the  ground,  they 
occasionally  settle  on  a  bush  or  tree ;  they  have   a  quicker 


232        Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal. 

and   more  eccentric  flight  than  most  of  the  Pipits  and  alight 
very  suddenly. 

BuDYTEs  FLAVA  (Linn.).     Blue-headed  AVagtail. 

April  17,  1882.  These  Wagtails  have  lately  left  us,  dis- 
appearing gradually  after  having  been  unusually  plentiful 
this  season ;  they  are  particularly  fond  of  accompanying 
sheep,  picking  up  the  insects  disturbed  by  their  feeding,  and 
often  alighting  on  their  backs,  where  they  seem  to  be  quite 
at  home^  the  sheep,  apparently,  not  taking  the  slightest  notice 
of  them. 

Laniarius  atrococcineus,  Burch.  Crimson-breasted.  Bush- 
Shrike. 

Although  this  Shrike,  according  to  my  experience,  is  ex- 
ceedingly shy  and  difficult  to  shoot,  still  one  may  often  get 
very  close  to  it  amongst  the  dense  thorny  thickets  which  it 
loves.  The  loud  note,  a  short  chuck-chuck,  which  it  frequently 
utters,  may  sometimes  be  heard  half  a  mile  away ;  and  the 
bird,  very  usually,  on  an  enemy's  approach,  quietly  glides 
out  low  on  the  opposite  side  of  some  thorny  bit  of  jungle 
and  away  to  the  next  patch ;  this  is  repeated  till  a  regular 
round  is  taken,  and  the  bird  and  the  hunter  start  again  from 
the  first  bit  of  bush  and  repeat  the  round  without  even  a 
snap-shot  beiiig  obtained. 

Francolinus  subtorquatus.  Smith.     Coqui  Francolin. 

Chick,  half-grown,  shot  8th  December.  This  was  one  of 
a  brood  which  got  up  almost  like  a  bevy  of  Quails,  for  which 
I  mistook  them  when  I  fired,  as  they  were  nearly  as  strong 
on  the  wing. 

CuRSORius  CHALCOPTERUS,  Tcmm.    Bronze-winged  Courser. 

This  is  a  very  scarce  Plover  with  us,  but  I  found  six  or 
eight,  some  of  them  birds  of  the  year,  amongst  thorn-scrub 
on  Mr.  Dunnes  farm  near  Potchefstroom ;  they  are  quick  on 
the  wing,  and  are  over  the  trees  and  out  of  shot  in  a 
twinkling. 

Glareola  NORDMANNi,  Finsch.     Nordmann's  Pratincole. 
Notwithstanding  the  almost  total  disappearance  of  locusts 


Mr.  T.  Ayres  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal,      233 

from  the  country  for  some  yearSj  this  Plover  is  as  plentiful 
as  ever^  and  makes  itself  happy  on  a  beetle  diet. 

ToTANUs  CANESCENS  (Gmel.) .     Greenshank. 
Female^  shot  near  Potchefstroom,  28th  October. 
In  1883  the  Greenshank  was  unusually  numerous. 

Ardea  bubulcus^  Audouin.    Western  Buff-backed  Heron. 

This  species  is  most  plentiful  with  us  in  January  and 
February^  after  which  the  majority  of  these  birds  seem  to 
leave  us  ;  during  the  above-named  months  they  are  found  in 
small  flocks  ;  they  roost  amongst  the  reedy  swamps,  and 
always  at  the  same  spots. 

Ardetta  PODiCEPS  (Bon.).     Rufous-necked  Little  Bittern. 

Male,  in  nearly  full  dress,  shot  July  1882.  Iris  yellow ; 
bill  yellowish  green  with  the  ridge  dusky  brown ;  tarsi  and 
feet  dull  green  with  the  hinder  parts  and  soles  of  feet 
orange-yellow.  Stomach  contained  a  perch  of  at  least  2  oz. 
in  weight. 

[Other  specimens  sent  by  Mr.  Ayres  were  obtained  in 
the  months  of  January,  March,  April,  and  September. — 
J.  H.  G.] 

Nycticorax  griseus  (Linn.).     European  Night-Heron. 
This  species  appears  to  be  gradually  getting  scarcer  about 
Potchefstroom. 

Phalacrocorax  africanus  (Gmel.) .  African  Long-tailed 
Cormorant. 

One  fine  day  I  saw  one  of  these  Cormorants  catching  small 
fish  in  water  not  more  than  six  to  twelve  inches  deep ;  and  it 
was  amusing  to  watch  how  it  skimmed  along  the  bottom, 
only  raising  its  head  every  now  and  again  above  the  water 
to  swallow  a  fish.  These  birds  will  kee]3  well  under  water 
whilst  chasing  the  small  fish  right  up  to  the  edge  of  a  pool 
amongst  the  sedges  with  wonderful  speed  and  dexterity. 


SER.  V. VOL.  II. 


234  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks^s  Ornithological 

XXVI. — A  few  Ornithological  Notes  and  Corrections. 
By  W.  Edwin  Brooks. 

In  the  '  Natural  History  Transactions  of  Northumberland 
and  Durham/  vol.  vi.  page  53^  my  friend  John  Hancock 
says,  ^^When  the  Brown  Linnet  is  kept  in  confinement  it 
loses  the  red  on  the  breast  on  the  first  moult,  and  never 
afterwards  regains  it,  but  continues  in  the  plumage  of  the 
Grey  Linnet.  The  fact  is,  that  the  males,  after  shedding 
the  nest-feathers,  get  a  red  breast,  which  they  retain  only 
during  the  first  season ;  they  then  assume  the  garb  of  the 
female,  which  is  retained  for  the  rest  of  their  lives,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  Crossbill .^^ 

In  this  observation  Mr.  Hancock  is  quite  correct,  but  the 
rule  applies  to  other  groups  besides  the  Linnets.  The 
majority  ^of  old  males  of  Pinicola  enucleator,  for  instance, 
are  found  in  the  yellow  female  plumage ;  but  I  shot  one 
which  was  of  a  pale  pinkish  orange,  or  light  salmon-colour  : 
this  was  so  badly  mangled  that  I  did  not  preserve  it.  I  also 
saw  a  second  one  of  the  same  colour.  Whether  this  interme- 
diate plumage  is  general,  or  only  occasional,  I  cannot  say. 

During  the  winter  of  1882-83  I  procured  a  large  series  of 
Linota  linaria  (Mealy  Redpole) .  Of  about  forty  males,  only 
half  a  dozen  were  in  the  red  plumage,  and  the  finest  and 
largest  males  were  in  the  grey  female  plumage,  merely 
having  the  bright  red  on  the  crown  of  the  head.  Some  of 
them  had  a  few  little  brownish-red,  or  rather  reddish-brown 
specks  on  the  cheeks.  What  age  they  -were,  compared  with 
those  absolutely  like  the  females,  I  cannot  say.  Tlie  females 
varied  a  little,  some,  instead  of  having  the  top  of  the  head 
deep  crimson,  had  it  dull  rusty  brown  :  whether  this  indicates 
great  age  or  the  reverse  I  do  not  know ;  1  should  think  the 
former. 

The  Carpodacus  group  have  the  mature  male  plumage  plain 
brown,  like  that  of  the  female.  I  do  not  know  how  many 
brown  males  of  C.  erythrinus  I  shot  in  India  up  to  pretty 
late  in  the  spring.  All  these  I  then  labelled  as  ''young  ^  ." 
Since  I  came  to  Canada  I  have  had  opportunities  of  observing 


Notes  and  Gorrections.  235 

Carpodacus  purpureus ;  for  it  lias  bred  during  two  springs  in 
my  own  garden.  The  nest  is  always  placed  about  eighteen 
inches  from  the  top  of  a  spruce,  and  is  much  like  that  of  the 
Greenfinch ;  the  eggs  are  like  those  of  Carpodacus  eryfhrinus, 
but  a  trifle  smaller,  of  a  pale  blue,  with  small  black  spots. 
I  saw  several  pairs  of  this  bird  in  which  both  male  and  female 
were  in  the  same  brown  plumage,  and  numerous  fights  there 
were  between  the  red  and  the  brown  males,  on  their  first 
arrival,  for  the  possession  of  the  females.  At  last  the  division 
was  arranged  and  the  nests  were  built.  The  song  of  this 
species  is  very  pretty. 

Many  authors  describe  the  red  plumage  as  the  adult  one, 
and  it  is  evidently  the  only  adult  one  with  which  they  are 
acquainted.  But  it  is  really  only  the  adolescent  plumage, 
and  is  put  on  after  the  young  bird's  first  autumnal  moult ;  for 
I  saw  a  good  many  red  Linota  linaria  in  November  and 
December.  This  red  plumage  becomes  brighter  as  the  ex- 
treme tips  of  the  feathers  wear  away,  and  is  at  its  reddest 
in  May  and  June. 

Speaking  of  Phylloscopus  luguhris,  '  Catalogue  of  Birds  in 
the  British  Museum,^  vol.  v.  page  48,  Mr.  Seebohm  says, 
"  This  species  is  very  closely  allied  to  the  preceding,  being 
absolutely  identical  in  colour  and  in  its  seasonal  changes  of 
plumage,  and  would  scarcely  be  entitled  to  specific  rank 
were  it  not  that  it  appears  to  have  a  more  eastern  geogra- 
phical range .^^  The  preceding  species  referred  to  is  P.  mag- 
nirostris ;  but  this  bird  is  much  larger,  with  a  longer  wing, 
larger  bill,  and  is  not  nearly  so  dusky  about  the  head  and 
shoulders  as  P.  lugubris.  Then  the  two  voices,  i.  e.  call-notes 
&c.,  with  which  I  am  well  acquainted,  are  as  distinct  as  "  chalk 
and  cheese.''^  I  know  the  song  of  P.  magnirostris,  which 
breeds  in  the  North-west  Himalayan  region ;  the  other  bird 
is  not  known  to  breed  within  Indian  limits.  There  are 
other  species  of  Phylloscopus  much  more  closely  allied  than 
the  above  two,  which  Mr.  Seebohm  would  apparently  like 
to  unite.  Blyth,  however,  rightly  distinguished  them. 
P.  lugubris  is  very  common  about  Calcutta  ;  but  I  never  got 
one  even  at  Dinapore,  which  is  only  about  400  miles  north 

t2 


236  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks's  Ornitholoyical 

of  the  former  place.  Nothing  irritates  me  so  much  as  to  see 
a  good  species  recklessly  attacked.  Now  the  two  of  all 
others  most  closely  allied  are  Phylloscopus  tristis  and  my  P. 
scindianus.  Here  you  have  the  larger  first  primary  of  the 
latter^  and  the  pale  tinge  of  yellow  on  the  ridge  of  the  wing 
and  axillariesj  against  the  bright  sulphur-yellow  of  the  same 
parts  in  P.  tristis.  The  greenish  edgings  to  the  lesser  wing- 
coverts  and  to  the  outer  webs  of  the  rectrices  are  hardly 
observable  or  actually  wanting  in  P.  scindianus.  Mr.  Seebohm 
may  unite  them  if  he  likes ;  but  the  two  have  voices  as  diffe- 
rent as  could  be  wished.  P.  tristis  has  not  aloud  "  tis-yip/' 
or  Willow-Wren-like  callj  which  P.  scindianus  has.  Both 
species  inhabit  the  same  tamarisk-jungles. 

Reguloides  superciliosus  and  R.  humii  are  much  alike ;  but 
besides  the  differences  of  plumage  and  geographical  distribu- 
tion^ have  widely  different  voices — a  ^'  weest/'  as  Mr.  Seebohm 
aptly  expresses  it,  in  the  one  case,  and  a  line,  loud,  rather 
shrill  "tis-yip^^  in  the  other  case.  "Tis-yip"  is  Blyth^'s 
expression. 

"  Aquila  imperialis.  The  western  form  of  the  Imperial 
Eagle  is  somewhat  rare  near  Astrakhan  "  (Ibis,  1882,  p.  205). 
Mr.  Seebohm  must  mean  the  eastern  form.  I  do  not  believe 
the  Spanish  bird  occurs  at  Astrakhan.  But  here  Mr.  Seebohm 
appears  to  ignore  Mr.  Dresser's  work  in  separating  two  very 
distinct  species  of  Aquila.  Considering  that  A.  imperialis 
[A.  heliaca,  Sav,]  in  first  plumage  is  a  striated  bird,  while  A. 
adalberti  at  the  same  age  is  a  plain  tawny  unstreaked  bird,  I 
do  not  at  all  see  how  one  can  be  a  "  form  •'•'  of  the  other.  Could 
Mr.  Seebohm  say  which  is  the  "form  "  and  which  the  original^ 
Then  we  have  the  different  distribution  of  white,  one  having 
it  on  the  bend  of  the  wing,  which  the  other  never  has.  What 
is  a  "  form  "  ?  If  "  subspecies  "  be  meant,  which  is  the 
original  ?  and  will  our  most  learned  ornithologist,  whoever 
he  may  be,  swear  that  one  bird  was  evolved  from  the  other  ? 
There  would  be  the  danger  of  putting  the  cart  before  the 
horse,  to  say  the  least,  and  of  thereby  giving  honour  to  the 
wrong  bird  as  being  the  most  ancient.    My  friend  Dr.  Jerdon 


Notes  and  Corrections.  237 

laboured  hard  one  day  to  convince  me  that  we  were  derived 
from  monkeys ;  but  had  I  taken  up  the  position  that  the 
monkey  was  a  degenerate  man,  I  should  have  had  rather  the 
best  of  the  argument.  Both  positions  are  highly  absurd,  but 
the  latter  the  least  so.  I  think,  in  regard  to  "  subspecies/^ 
we  should  not  go  beyond  facts.  Speculation  that  one  species 
is  derived  from  another  is  hurtful  to  our  science.  The  closely 
allied  species  are  the  great  charm  of  ornithology. 

"  Aquila  n^via.  The  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  passes  through 
the  valley  of  the  Lower  Volga  on  migration  in  spring  and 
autumn  ^■'  (ibid.).  I  thought  it  was  a  settled  thing  that 
ncevia  was  too  indefinite  a  term  to  be  used.  Mr.  Dresser 
contends  that  pomarina  of  Brehm  is  the  applicable  name,  but 
in  his  '  Birds  of  Europe  '  he  withholds  the  evidence.  Brehm^s 
original  description,  if  there  be  a  published  one,  should  have 
been  given  in  extenso ;  and  if  there  be  no  such  description 
closely  fitting  the  young  bird,  my  name  ought  to  stand,  for 
I  defined  the  species  very  clearly. 

Sylvia  afpinis.  Ibis,  1882,  p.  212.  "^The  Siberian  form 
of  the  Lesser  Whitethroat.^^  No  !  The  Siberian  and  Indian 
bird  is  the  original  form  !  There  are  a  hundred  times  as 
many  /S.  affinis  as  there  are  S.  garrula.  But  why  confound 
them? 

Cettia  sericea,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  213.  I  closely  compared 
the  two  species  and  they  are  quite  distinct.  Hume^s  first 
published  name  was  not  C.  stoliczkcs. 

"  Linota  linaria.  The  Brown  Linnet,"  Ibis,  1882,  p.  218. 
Is  Linota  canabina  the  species  intended  ?  for  that  is  the 
Brown  Linnet. 

iEaiALiTis  CHRONICA,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  222.  Mr.  Dresser  con- 
founds ^.  curonica  and  jE.  minuta  of  Pallas.  Of  the  latter 
Dr.  Jerdon  says,  "Very  similar  to  the  last  [jE.  curonica), 
but  smaller  altogether,  and  with  proportionally  much  smaller 
legs  and  feet.  The  upper  plumage  is  of  a  somewhat  darker 
shade ;  the  quills  are  also  blacker ;  the  lateral  tail-feathers 
have  more  white  -,  the  base  of  the  lower  mandible  is  more 


238  Mr.  W.  E.  Brooks's  Ornithological 

yellow,  and  the  tertials  are  less  lengthened "  ('  Birds  of 
India/  vol.  iii.  p.  641) . 

I  agree  with  Dr.  Jerdon  as  to  the  distinctness  of  the  two. 
I  have  taken  eggs  of  both — of  ^.  curonica  in  Cashmere  and 
of  ^.  minuta  in  the  plains  of  India.  The  eggs  of  the  latter 
are  smaller.  In  the  immature  dress  the  two  species  contrast 
strongly,  and  by  the  different  size  and  colour  of  the  legs  I 
could  readily  distinguish  them.  ^.  minuta  breeds  pretty 
far  south;  I  took  nests  at  Patna.  But  yE.  curonica  goes 
north  to  breed,  and  I  did  not  find  it  breeding  at  all  in  the 
places  that  ^.  minuta  frequented  ;  I  only  got  it  in  the 
plains  of  India  after  the  breeding-season  was  over,  except 
when  I  met  it  during  the  breeding-season  in  Cashmere. 

Good  work  has  not  been  done  in  confounding  these  two 
little  Plovers. 

Falco  atriceps,  Ibis,  1882,  p.  291.  Two  species  are  con- 
founded under  this  term,  one  with  a  very  red  breast  and 
the  other  with  a  white  one.  Sharpe  describes  the  latter, 
'  Catalogue  Birds  B.  M.'  vol.  i.  pp.  378,  379,  and  Hume,  in 
'  Rough  Notes,^  pp.  61,  62,  describes  the  "  chestnuts-breasted 
one.  If  the  white-breasted  one  be  not  F.  barbarus  (and  I 
do  not  think  it  is),  it  requires  a  name.  It  is  far  too  small  for 
F.  peregrinus,  with  which  Mr.  Sharpe  confounds  it. 

MiLvus  GOViNDA,  Sykcs.  Ornithologists  persist  in  applying 
this  term  to  the  Lesser  Indian  Kite.  Sykes's  description, 
"26  inches  loug,''^  can  only  apply  to  M.  melanotis,  as  the  other 
bird  never  reaches  that  size.  As  one  of  the  types  is  an  imma- 
ture example  of  M.  melanotis,  and  the  description  fits  the  same 
species,  Sykes^s  term  must  be  used  for  the  large  Kite,  for  it  is 
the  prior  one.  M.  melanotis  should  be  reduced  to  a  synonym. 
The  accident  of  a  small  Kite  standing  in  the  same  case  with 
the  large  M.  govinda  does  not  give  the  lesser  bird  a  title  to 
the  original  description.  I  contend  that  Sykes  described  a 
large  26-inch  Kite,  and  that  it  is  his  govinda,  even  though  he 
did  not  know  that  the  lesser  bird  was  a  distinct  species.  Mr. 
Sharpe,  in  the  Catalogue,  has  misnamed  the  two  species. 
Messrs.  Hume  and  Gurney  contend  for  a  third  species  of  Kite, 


Notes  and  Corrections.  239 

intermediate  between  M.  affinis  and  M.  govinda  (melanotis). 
All  I  know  is,  that  the  same  little  sooty-brown  Kite  seen  at 
Calcutta  is  also  found  in  Scind.  The  fact  is,  that  the  younger 
birds  are  more  mottled  with  white,  and  that  uniformity  of 
dark  colour  is  entirely  due  to  age.  The  large  Kite,  M,  govinda 
(I  will  not  call  it  M.  melanotis,  for  it  has  no  right  to  the  name) , 
varies  greatly  in  size  and  in  the  amount  of  white  on  the  under 
surface  of  the  primaries  ;  so  does  M.  affinis ;  it  varies  in  size 
and  colour  still  more.  I  have  had  more  of  the  lesser  Kite 
through  my  hands  than  any  one  else,  for  I  shot  them  plenti- 
fully in  many  widely  distant  parts  of  India,  and  I  cannot 
see  that  there  is  a  third  species.  Once  Mr.  Anderson 
and  I  considered  that  we  had  got  a  third,  which  we  named 
palustris,  but  we  afterwards  agreed  that  the  name  should  be 
quashed.  Well,  let  those  who  are  very  anxious  for  a  third 
species  have  their  own  way,  for  I  have  long  ago  found  it 
impossible  to  convince  them  ;  but  at  any  rate  do  not  let  the 
utterly  inexcusable  error  of  calling  the  lesser  Indian  Kite 
''govinda"  be  persisted  in.  I  am  afraid,  however,  that 
Messrs.  Gurney,  Hume,  and  Sharpe  are  too  old  in  the  error 
to  be  now  extricated. 

Certhia  scandulaca,  Pallas.  "It  may  be  described  as  a 
pale  or  arctic  form  of  our  Creeper,  and  is  probably  identical 
with  the  northern  form  found  on  the  American  continent. 
Its  southern  limit  in  Central  Asia  appears  to  be  Kashmir, 
where  it  has  received  the  name  of  C.  mandellii  "  (Seebohm  in 
Ibis,  1882,  p.  422). 

Mr.  Seebohm  is  mistaken.  C.  mandellii  is  a  Sikhim  bird. 
He  probably  means  C.  Iiodgsoni,  my  Cashmere  species.  The 
American  species  is  very  like  it,  and  may  prove  to  be  iden- 
tical. I  have  written  to  Mr.  Hume  on  this  very  point,  asking 
for  the  loan  of  a  specimen  or  two  for  comparison.  Whether 
identical  with  the  American  bird  or  not,  it  is  a  good  species, 
quite  distinct  from  C.  familiaris. 

Milton  West,  Ontario,  Canada, 
29tli  February,  1884. 


240  Mr.  P.  Ij.  Sclater  on  two 

P.S. — MoTAciLLA  FLAVA.  "And  are  therefore  of  var.  tai- 
vanus"  (Seebohm  in  Ibis,  1884,  p.  39).  Budijtes  taivanus, 
Swinboe,  is  the  most  perfectly  distinct  of  all  Wagtails.  It 
differs  even  structurally,  having  a  longer  and  stronger  bill,  also 
longer  and  stronger  legs  and  feet.  The  coloration  is  unique. 
If  it  be  not  a  thoroughly  good  species,  then  there  is  not 
such  a  thing  as  a  good  species. 


XXVII. — Remarks  on  two  rare  American  Oscines. 
By  P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S. 

(Plate  VII.) 

As  mentioned  in  my  last  article  on  the  Icteridse  (Ibis,  1884, 
p.  167),  the  anthoritifes  of  the  U.S.  National  Museum  have 
kindly  sent  to  me  for  inspection  the  type  of  Jdiopsar  bra- 
chyurus  of  Cassin.  From  the  same  obliging  correspondents 
Mr.  Salvin  has  obtained  the  loan  of  the  only  two  known 
sjDccimens  of  Acanthidops  bairdi  of  Ridgway.  I  venture  to 
offer  a  few  remarks  upon  these  two  rare  and  little-known 
species. 

Idiopsar  brackyurus  (Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil.  1866, 
p.  414)  is  one  of  the  most  singular  South- American  types  I 
have  seen  for  a  long  while.  Although  the  wings  of  the 
unique  specimen  are  in  process  of  moult,  their  structure  and 
that  of  the  feet  show  that  it  is  a  nine-primaried  Oscine. 
But  I  have  much  doubt  whether  it  is  best  referred  to  the 
Icteridae,  as  Cassin  has  proposed.  The  square  tail  and  cast 
of  plumage  remind  one  more  of  some  of  the  Fringillidse  of 
the  genus  Phrygilus,  especially  Phrygilus  unicolor,  which  in 
style  of  plumage  it  closely  resembles.  The  bill  is  certainly 
very  abnormal  for  a  Fringilline  bird,  but  hardly  more  divergent 
from  tbe  ordinary  Fringilline  structure  than  that  organ  is  in 
the  case  of  such  types  as  Catamblyrhynchus,  Piezorhina,  and 
Xenospingus.  On  the  other  band  I  can  find  no  bill  among  the 
Icterines  nearly  similar  to  tbat  of  Idiopsar,  and  in  plumage 


Ibis,  1884,  PL 


J  Glieulenians  lilii. 


IDIOPSAR    BRACHYURUS 


Hanliarfc   imp . 


rare  American  Oscines.  241 

no  species  at  all  resembling  it.  The  only  remaining  group 
with  which  it  would  be  possible  to  associate  Idiopsar  is  the 
Coerebidse.  But  I  can  see  no  satisfactory  resting-place  for 
it  here.  On  the  whole  therefore  I  should  be  disposed  to 
place  Idiopsar  among  the  Eringillidse^  unless  it  is  preferable 
to  make  it  the  type  of  a  separate  family. 

Mr.  Keulemans^s  drawing  (Plate  VII.)  will,  I  trusty  serve 
to  render  this  obscure  form  better  known^  and  perhaps  help 
to  induce  some  one  to  send  us  home  further  specimens. 
The  type  was  procured  in  La  Paz,  Bolivia,  by  Mr.  D.  K. 
Carter. 

Of  Acanthidops  bairdi,  Ridgway,  Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus, 
1881,  p.  336,  two  specimens  are  now  before  me" — the  original 
type,  from  the  Volcano  of  Irazu,  Costa  Rica,  obtained  by  J. 
Cooper  in  1880,  marked  "  $  ,"  and  a  second  specimen  from 
the  same  locality  obtained  by  the  same  collector  in  1883, 
marked  "  ^  ."  The  plumage  scarcely  differs  in  the  two  sexes, 
but  the  male  is  rather  larger  in  dimensions.  As  regards  the 
position  of  this  bird  in  the  series,  I  trust  Mr.  Ridgway  will 
excuse  me  if  I  venture  to  differ  from  him.  He  has  described 
it  very  accurately,  and  I  have  nothing  to  add  to  his  cha- 
racters ;  but  in  my  opinion  the  collector,  who  is  stated  to 
have  referred  it  to  the  Fringillidse,  was  correct  in  so  doing. 

In  the  first  place  the  primaries  are,  I  think  I  may  con- 
fidently say,  nine  in  number,  the  outermost  being  but  slightly 
shorter  than  the  next  three  following.  This  at  once  removes 
it  from  the  Tracheophones,  in  which  a  tenth  primary  is 
always  present,  and  shows  that  it  is  a  nine-primaried 
Oscine.  It  is  quite  true  that  the  division  of  the  anterior  face 
of  the  tarsus  into  distinct  plates  would  primarily  militate 
against  this  position ;  but  the  same  structure  is  to  be  found 
in  other  true  Oscines  (such  as  Mimus  and  Thryothorus),  and 
cannot  negative  the  verdict  of  the  nine  primaries.  I  should 
therefore  propose  to  place  Acanthidops  near  Chrysomitris  in 
the  family  Fringillidse. 


242  Col.  N.  Przewalski  on  the 

XXVIII.— Ow  the  Birds  of  Northern  Tibet. 
By  Col.  N.  Przewalski^. 

In  the  class  of  Birds  Northern  Tibet  is  still  poorer  than  in 
mammals^  as  among  the  former  in  no  single  case  is  the 
poverty  of  species  made  up  for  by  an  unusual  number  of  indi- 
viduals. Altogether  we  met  with  only  51  species  of  birds  in 
Tibet,  as  shown  in  the  following  table  : — 

«  Residents.     Passing  migrants.    Winter  Tisitants. 

Accipitres    7  9 

Passeres 9  9 

Columbse     1 

Gallius?    2 

Grallatores 6 

Natatores    5 

19  29  3 

To  this  list  we  might  be  justified  in  adding  15  other  species, 
which  we  met  with  on  the  mountains  of  Burchan-Buba, 
Goschili,  Tolai,  and  Torai,  in  the  ranges  bordering  upon 
Zaidam.  Of  these  last-mentioned  15,  6  were  residents,  2 
passing  migrants,  and  7  winter  visitants.  We  pursued  our 
ornithological  investigations  in  Northern  Tibet  only  in 
autumn  and  winter,  and  therefore  cannot  speak  of  the  species 
that  arrive  in  the  spring  and  breed  there ;  but  in  all  pro- 
bability the  number  of  such  species  is  insignificant. 

The  most  prominent  representatives  of  the  bird-fauna  of 
Northern  Tibet  are  the  Vultures  {Gijpaetus  harhatus,  Vultur 
monachus,  Gyps  himalayensis),  Ravens  {Corvus  corax), 
Choughs  {Fregilus  graculus),  Tibetan  Larks  [Melanocorypha 
maxima),  Mountain-Finches  [Onychospiza  taczanowskii, 
Pyrrhulauda  ruficollis,  P.  barbata),  and  Podoces  humilis. 
Of  the  Pigeon  family  only  one  species — the  Rock-Dove  {Co- 

*  [Translated  from  an  article  in  Petermann's  '  Mittbeilungen,'  Heft  i. 
1884.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  tbat  no  English  account  has  yet  ap- 
peared of  Col.  Przewalslii's  third  great  journey  in  Central  Asia  (1879-80). 
A  chart  of  his  route  is  given  in  Petermann's  'Mittbeilungen,'  1883, 
Heft  viii.  As  that  of  the  only  naturahst  Avbo  has  penetrated  into  Tibet 
from  the  north,  his  account  of  its  bird-life  cannot  fail  to  be  of  interest  to 
our  readers. — Edd.] 


Birds  of  Northern  Tibet.  243 

lumba  rupestris) — is  found  ;  the  Gallinaceous  birds  are  repre- 
sented by  two  species^  the  Tibetan  Giant  Partridge  {Mega- 
loperdioc  tihetanus)  and  the  Tibetan  Three-toed  Sand-Grouse 
{Syrrhaptes  tibetanus),  and  of  the  Waders  and  Swimmers  we 
only  saw  a  few  autumnal  migrants  on  passage. 

This  poverty  of  the  ornis  is  easily  explained  by  the  extreme 
unfitness  of  the  physical  and  geographical  features  of  the 
country  for  bird-life.  There  are  neither  trees  nor  bushes 
upon  the  seeds  of  which  birds  could  feed  and  in  which  they 
could  nest ;  the  mostly  saline  lakes  have  no  fish ;  the  banks 
of  the  rivers  are  uniformly  open  and  bare ;  and  the  moun- 
tains have  few  rocks  for  the  alpine  birds  to  resort  to.  No 
wonder  therefore  that  over  the  great  expanse  which  we 
traversed  we  found  only  nineteen  species  of  resident  birds^ 
and  the  list  would  hardly  be  doubled  if  the  whole  remaining 
portion  of  Northern  Tibet  westwards  to  the  Karakorum 
were  explored.  Even  the  migrants  hasten  to  traverse 
Northern  Tibet  without  halting,  and  only  a  few  Eaptores 
linger  a  little  time  in  the  autumn,  allured  by  the  number- 
less Pikas  {Lagomys  ladacensis),  which  offer  them  a  ready 
sustenance.  But  even  this  circumstance^  which  usually  plays 
an  important  part  in  the  selection  of  a  winter  home,  cannot 
induce  our  Raptores  to  stay  through  the  winter;  for  the 
greater  number  of  them  hasten  further  south  to  the  Brah- 
maputra valley,  or  perhaps  even  across  the  Himalayas.  Only 
three  species  remain,  Archibuteo  aquilinus,  A.  stropliiatus, 
and  Falco  sacer,  and  of  these,  too,  but  a  very  restricted 
number  of  individuals. 

Large  Waders,  such  as  Cranes  {Grus  cinerea  and  G.  virgo), 
traverse  Northern  Tibet  in  enormous  flocks  in  autumn  with- 
out halting ;  at  the  same  season  water-fowl  also  pass  over. 
The  Passeres,  especially  those  that  frequent  woods,  appa- 
rently perform  the  transit  by  some  more  eastern  route  and 
avoid  the  high  ranges.  During  the  whole  of  the  later  autumn 
(after  Sept.  20th)  we  saw  only  twenty -nine  species  of  Pas  seres. 
In  spring  the  migration  is,  most  probably,  still  more  reduced 
in  numbers,  because  the  spring  season  is  still  more  inclement 
than  the  autumn.     In  summer  certainly  only  the  resident 


244  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

species  and  a  few  desert  and  monntain  birds  nest  in  Northern 
Tibet. 

The  mountain-edge  of  the  Tibetan  plateau  bordering  on 
Zaidam  affords  more  attractive  ground  for  wintering  and^ 
indeed,  for  residence.  On  their  northern  outliers,  which  are 
developed  into  a  grand  Alp-like  chain,  amongst  the  deep 
gullies,  the  banks  of  Avhich  are  clothed  with  dense  thickets  of 
Myricaria,  and  here  and  there  open  into  very  presentable 
little  meadows — amongst  these  more  endurable  retreats  some 
of  the  resident  and  wintering  species  which  are  not  met  with 
on  the  highlands  find  a  friendly  asylum.  Of  the  resident 
birds  the  commonest  are  the  Wall-creeper  [Tichodroma  mu- 
raria) ,  the  Brown  Accentor  (Accentor  fulvescens),  the  Moun- 
tain-Partridge {Caccabis  niciffna)  ;  and  of  the  winter  visitants 
the  Mountain-Finches  [Leucosticte  hcematopygia  and  Monti- 
fringiUa  adamsi),  which  collect  together  in  enormous  flocks, 
and  the  Solitary  Snipe  (Scolopax  solitaria),  which  is  found 
solitary  near  the  water-springs. 


XXIX. — Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VIII.     On  the  Genus 
Hemicercus.     By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S. 

Perhaps  in  no  genus  of  Woodpeckers  has  there  been  so 
much  confusion  as  in  Hemicercus,  owing  partly  to  the 
various  stages  of  plumage  through  which  H.  sordidus  and 
H.  concretus  pass,  and  also  to  the  careless  determination  of 
the  sexes,  to  which  tlie  specimens  of  H.  canente  and  H.  cor- 
datus  have  been  subject.  The  researches  of  later  years  have, 
I  think,  settled  the  latter  vexed  question  beyond  all  doubt ; 
and  the  large  series  of  specimens  of  H.  sordidus  which  has 
been  at  my  disposal  has  enabled  me  to  offer,  as  I  trust,  a 
satisfactory  solution  of  a  difficulty  which  has  been  present 
for  many  years  to  students  of  the  Malayan  avifauna. 

Three  ornithologists  of  note  have  written  on  the  latter 
subject.  First  of  all,  Count  Salvadori,  who  recognizes  the 
four  following  species  of  the  present  genus  as  inhabiting  the 
Indo -Malayan  region  : — 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  245 

1.  H.  concretus  (Temm.).  This  I  take  to  be  the  young- 
male  of  the  true  H.  concretus. 

2.  H.  hartlaubi  (Malh.).  In  my  opinion  the  adult  male 
of  H.  concretus. 

3.  H.  sordidus  (Eyton).  Apparently  the  adult  male  of 
Eyton's  species. 

4.  H.  brookeanus  (Salvad.).  Apparently  nothing  more 
than  H.  sordidus  in  the  yellow-coloured  plumage  found  in 
freshly  moulted  birds  of  the  present  genus. 

Lord  Tweeddale  (Ibis^  1877;,  p.  291)  describes  what  he 
considers  to  be  the  various  stages  of  plumage  of  H.  sordidus, 
and  adds,  "  The  adult  male  of  H.  concretus  (Reinw.),  ex  Java 
(PL  Col.  90.  fig.  1),  differs  from  H.  sordidus  by  having  the 
entire  crest  crimson,  although  not  of  so  dark  a  shade  as  in 
H.  sordidus.  The  occurrence  of  this  species  beyond  Java 
rests  on  no  good  authority.  It  is  figured  by  Malherbe 
(Mouogr.  Picid.  pi.  xli.  fig.  5),  under  the  title  of  Micropicus 
hartlaubi.'^  Lord  Tweeddale  further  remarks  that  in  ex- 
amples sent  by  Mr.  Buxton  from  Lampong,  S.E.  Sumatra, 
the  females  are  undistinguishable  from  Javan  P.  concretus 
?  and  Malaccan  examples  in  the  plumage  of  the  female, 
and  that  the  adult  male  is  identical  with  adult  males  from 
Malacca.  In  all  of  the  above  remarks  I  thoroughly  concur, 
aud  I  may  state  that  there  appears  to  be  no  distinguishing 
character  between  the  females  of  H.  concretus  and  H. 
sordidus. 

Mr,  Sharpe  (Ibis,  1879,  p.  240)  enumerates  the  four 
species  recognized  by  Count  Salvadori  (Ucc.  Born.  p.  46), 
and  considers  H.  brookeanus  to  be  a  yelloM^-stained  example 
of  H.  sordidus.  He  further  states  that  H.  sordidus  will  have 
to  bear  the  name  of  H.  concretus,  and  regards  the  entirely 
red  crest  in  H.  hartlaubi  as  a  good  specific  character,  and 
gives  as  the  habitat,  Malacca  {Gould),  Java  {Wallace),  Su- 
matra (Temminck),  Borneo  {Mus.  Turati)  ;  but  he  regards 
the  last  locality  as  perhaps  doubtful.  Mr.  Sharpe  further 
adds  that  he  would  not  be  surprised  if  H.  hartlaubi  turned 
out  to  be  a  very  old  full-plumaged  H.  sordidus.  H.  con- 
cretus, he  says,  is  founded  on  a  young  bird,  whose  progress 


246  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

towards  maturity  he  has  traced  by  means  of  the  specimens 
in  the  British  Museum.  Mr.  Sharpens  ideas  on  the  species 
are,  as  usual,  good ;  but  he  has  unfortunately  confused  the 
subject  by  the  names  which  he  has  adopted.  H.  brookeanus 
is,  as  he  was  the  first  to  point  out,  either  an  abnormally 
coloured  example  of  H.  sordidus,  or,  more  probably,  a  newly 
moulted  bird  of  that  species.  In  stating  that  H.  sordidus  and 
H.  concretus  are  synonymous  he  falls  iuto  an  error,  because, 
as  it  turns  out,  the  Javan  bird  is  a  well-marked  species,  and 
the  Malaccan,  Sumatran,  and  Bornean  birds  belong  to  another 
equally  well-marked  species.  The  latter  must  bear  the  name 
of  H.  sordidus  of  Eytou,  founded  on  Malaccan  examples  of 
the  young  male  and  adult  female ;  while  that  of  H.  concretus, 
also  bestowed  on  a  young  male  and  adult  female,  was  founded 
on  specimens  from  Java,  and  must  be  applied  to  the  species 
from  this  island  only. 

Key  to  the  Species. 

a.  With  the  top  of  the  head  red  or  with  a  red  crest. 
a}.  Forehead  and  crown  red. 

a^.  Forehead  and  crown  vermilion-red;  occipital 

crest  olive-grey   , sordidus,  S  ad. 

h^.  Forehead  and  crown,  as  well  as  entire  crest, 

scarlet concretus,  c?  ad. 

6\  Forehead  and  crown  rufous  bulT. 

e^.  Occipital  crest  orange-red,  varied  and  trans- 
versely spotted  with  dusky    sordidus,  juv. 

d^.  Occipital  crest  uniform  bright  flame-red    ....     concretus, '^ny, 

b.  With  no  red  on  the  head. 

c^  Forehead  and  crown  of  the  same  colour  as  the 

crest,  and  uniform  or  minutely  spotted.  ,. ,       ^     , 

.,    „      '       ,  1         X    T  \  sordidus,  §  ad. 

e~.  J^orehead,  crown,  and  crest  olive-grey    <  ^     T.     , 

x2    rr.„  ..«'„  T,„„^    „„  „,.n  ....  .,..,„,....    r.^..^.  \  <^07icretus,  $  ad. 


/-.  Top  of  the  head,  as  well  as  the  crest,  black, 

the  forehead  and  crown  minutely  speckled  ^      ,    j 

__.^T   _,.^  '■  \canetite,  (^  ad. 

cordatus,  c?  ad. 


with  white < 

( 


rf'.  With  a  frontal  patch  of  buffy  white  or  dingy 
buft". 
g-.  Forehead  and  crown  buffy   white,  occipital     ^^^g^^;^^  ^  ^^^ 

crest  black    <        ,,'    ^     , 

j  cordatus,  )^  ad. 
h-.  Forehead  and  crovra  dingy  buff,  occipital  crest  ,     • 

, ,     ,  oj         >         i'  ,  cauente,  niv. 

black     \        ,  ,      . 

( corartf«<s,  juv. 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  247 

1.  Hemicercus  sordidus. 

Picus  concretus  (pt.),  Wagl.  Syst.  Av.  Picus,  sp.  70  (1827). 

Dendi'opicus  sordidus,  Eyton,  Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  xvi. 
p.  229  (1845). 

Hemicercus  concretus  (nee  Temm.)^  Blyth,  J.  A.  S.  B.  1845, 
p.  195  ;  id.  Cat  Mus.  As.  Soc.  p.  54  (1849)  ;  Horsf.  &  Moore, 
Cat.  B.  Mus.  E.I.  Co.  ii.  p.  650  (1856-58)  ;  Jerd.  B.  Ind.  i. 
p.  281  (1862) ;  Gray,  List  Pieid.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  70  (1868) ; 
Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  47  (1874). 

Hemicercus  concretus  (pt.),  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  129 
(1850) ;  id.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854)  ;  Gray,  Hand-1. 
B.  ii.  p.  190,  no.  8667  (1870). 

Hemicercus  coccometojms,  Reiclienb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picinge, 
p.  401,  pi.  dclvi.  figs.  4364,  4365,  S,  ?  ad.  (1854);  Sclat. 
P.  Z.  S.  1863,  p.  21]  ',  Blyth,  Ibis,  1866,  p.  354  (note). 

Hemicercus  sordidus,  Blyth,  J,  A.  S.  B.  1855,  p.  272  j  Cab. 
&  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  177  (1863) ;  Gray,  List  Picid. 
Brit.  Mus.  p.  70  (1868)  ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  190,  no.  8666 
(1870);  Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  46  (1874);  Tweedd.  Ibis, 
1877,  p.  291 ;  Hume  &  Davison,  Str.  F.  1878,  p.  128;  Hume, 
op.  cit.  1879,  p.  52;  Sharpe,  Ibis,  1879,  p.  240;  Salvad. 
Ann.  Mus.  Civ.  Genov.  xiv.  p.  181  (1879) ;  Kelliam,  Ibis, 
1881,  p.  338;  Salvin,  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  40]  (1882). 

Micropicus  concretus  (pt.),  Malh.  Mouogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  187, 
pi.  xli.  fig.  2,  c?  juv.  (1861). 

Picus  sordidus,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  10  (1866); 
Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  180  (1876). 

Hemicercus  bt'ookeanus,  Salvad.  Ucc.  Born.  p.  44  (1874). 

Adult  male.  Upper  and  middle  back,  likewise  the  scapu- 
laries,  black,  eacb  feather  margined  with  and  crossed  by  a 
bar  of  yellowish  white,  the  black  forming  two  large  spots 
more  or  less  rounded ;  wing-coverts  black,  margined  with 
yellowish  white;  edge  of  wing  yellowish  white;  bastard- 
wing  and  primary-coverts  black,  the  latter  tipped  with 
whitish ;  quills  black,  the  inner  webs  of  the  primaries  mar- 
gined with  yellowish  white  at  the  base,  this  colour  increasing 
in  extent  upon  each  inner  feather,  the  innermost  secondaries 
being  margined  and  deeply  indented  or  barred  with  yellowish 


348  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

white,  the  black  forming  large  and  conspicuous  spots,  the 
terminal  one  being  more  or  less  heart-shaped ;  shafts  black  ; 
lower  back  olive-grey,  some  of  the  feathers  being  tipped  with 
whitish ;  rump  and  upper  series  of  upper  tail-covcrts  uniform 
yellowish  white,  the  lower  series  of  these  coverts  black,  with 
whitish  tips  5  tail  black,  the  inner  webs  of  the  feathers  having 
a  whitish  spot,  the  outer  large  one  having  also  a  transverse 
spot  on  the  outer  web ;  dwarf  feather  broadly  margined 
and  barred  with  yellowish  white,  the  black  forming  two  large 
spots ;  shafts  black  ;  forehead  and  crown  crimson ;  hind  neck 
whitish ;  occipital  crest,  lores,  sides  of  the  face  and  neck, 
chin,  throat,  and  under  surface  of  the  body  olive-grey,  a 
faint  yellowish-white  stripe  from  under  the  ear-coverts  run- 
ning down  the  side  of  the  neck,  the  abdominal  feathers 
having  yellowish  tips ;  the  feathers  of  the  thighs  black, 
margined  with  yellowish;  under  tail-coverts  black  at  the 
base,  the  tips  being  yellowish  white ;  under  wing-coverts 
yellowish  white.  Total  length  5*5  inches,  culmen  0'85, 
wing  3'35,  tail  1"0,  tarsus  0*65  ;  toes  (without  claws) — outer 
anterior  0'52,  outer  posterior  0*52,  inner  anterior  0*4,  inner 
posterior  0*28. 

Young  male.  DiiFers  from  the  adult  in  having  the  forehead 
and  crown  rufous  buff,  the  occipital  feathers  more  or  less 
washed  with  flame-red,  and  having  dusky  tips  ;  nape  very 
similar  in  colour  to  the  crown ;  sides  of  the  face  and  neck, 
also  the  entire  under  surface  of  the  body,  dusky,  without 
any  olive  tinge,  the  feathers  of  the  breast  and  abdomen 
having  pale  brownish  tips ;  under  wing-coverts  buffy  white. 

The  still  younger  male  has  the  hind  part  of  the  crown 
covered  with  transverse  dusky  markings,  and  the  outermost 
feathers  of  the  occipital  crest  much  more  varied  with  dusky, 
this  colour  forming  a  central  stripe,  the  red  feathers  of  the 
crest  having  also  dusky  tips. 

Nestling  male.  Having  the  forehead,  crown,  and  occipital 
crest  dingy  rufous  buff,  the  feathers  having  dusky  tips,  and 
with  only  a  slight  trace  of  red  on  the  occipital  crest. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
entire  top  of  the  head,   as  well  as  the  occipital  crest,  slaty 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  249 

grey,  the  latter  having  a  slight  olive  tinge.  Total  length 
5'0  inches,  culmen  0*75,  wing  3"3,  tail  1*0,  tarsus  0*6. 

Young  female.  Having  the  forehead  and  crown  rufous 
buff,  the  occipital  crest  slightly  more  rufous,  the  feathers  of 
the  latter  with  dusky  tips. 

I  subjoin  a  short  description  of  the  various  stages  of  plu- 
mage through  which  this  species  passes,  from  the  nestling  to 
the  adult,  q,s  far  as  the  series  of  specimens  examined  will 
permit ;  and  without  asserting  that  the  links  in  the  chain  are 
complete,  I  think  most  of  the  changes  of  plumage  are  enume- 
rated in  these  notes. 

15/  stage. — Male,  nestling.  Forehead,  crown,  and  crest 
rufous  buff,  the  latter  with  only  a  trace  of  flame-red,  and 
varied  with  dusky,  as  well  as  having  dusky  tips  to  the  feathers, 
those  of  the  forehead  and  crown  having  their  tips  alone 
dusky. 

2ind  stage. — Forehead  and  crown  rufous  buff,  the  feathers 
having  dusky  tips,  a  few  red  feathers  appearing  on  the  crown ; 
the  crest  a  mixture  of  flame-red  and  rufous  buff,  the  feathers 
having  dusky  tips. 

^rd  stage. — Forehead  and  crown  as  in  the  latter  stage, 
with  numerous  red  feathers  appearing  ;  crest  olive-grey 
mixed  with  reddish  buff. 

Mh  stage. — Forehead  and  crown  vermilion-red ;  crest  olive- 
grey,  barred  with  dull  baff. 

^th  stage. — Forehead  and  crown  vermilion-red,  the  hinder 
feathers  of  the  crown  elongated ;  occipital  crest  olive-grey. 
This  is  the  fully  adult  male. 

\st  stage  ? — Female,  young.  Forehead  and  crown  pale 
rufous  buff,  the  crest  more  rufous,  the  feathers  of  the  latter 
having  dusky  tips.  This  is  the  first  stage  of  plumage  in 
which  I  have  seen  the  female  ;  but  there  is  very  probably  an 
earher  one,  in  which  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  and  crown 
will  have  dusky  tips. 

2nd  stage. — Forehead,  crown,  and  crest  olive-grey,  some 
of  the  feathers  of  the  crest  being  barred  with  huffy  whitish. 

^rd  stage. — Forehead,  crown,  and  crest  entirely  olive-grey. 
This  is  the  fully  adult  female. 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  u 


250  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

This  species  has  an  extensive  range.  In  Tenasserim^ 
according  to  Messrs,  Hume  and  Davison,  it  is  only  a  strag- 
gler in  the  extreme  south  of  the  province,  the  latter  gentle- 
man having  only  procured  it  at  Bankasoon.  It  ranges 
through  the  Malayan  peninsula,  and  is  found  in  Sumatra, 
Bangka,  and  Borneo.  A  bird  from  the  latter  island  has, 
however,  been  separated  by  Count  Salvadori  as  H.  hrookeanus  \ 
but  I  cannot  find  any  specific  differences  between  any  of  the 
Bornean  birds  and  specimens  from  the  other  localities  above 
mentioned'^. 

2.  Hemicercus  concretus. 

Picus  concretus,  Temm.  PL  Col.  pi.  xc.  figs.  1,  2  (1824) ; 
Steph.  Gen.  Zool.  xiv.  p.  160  (1826)  ;  Wagl.  (pt.)  Syst.  Av. 
Picus,  sp.  70  (1827)  ;  Less.  Traite,  p.  22]  (1831) ;  Sundev. 
Consp.  Av.  Picin.  p.  11,  no  26  6  (1866);  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn. 
p.  151  (1876). 

Hemicercus  concretus,  Swains.  Classif.  B.  ii.  p.  306(1837) ; 
Gray,  List  Gen.  p.  54  (1840) ;  id.  List  Gen.  1841,  p.  70;  id. 
Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  437  (1845) ;  fip.  (pt.)  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i. 
p.  129  (1850);  id.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854); 
Eeichenb.  Handb.  Scans.  Picinse,  p.  401,  pi.  dclvi.  figs.  4361- 
63  (juv.)  (1854)  ;  Blyth,  Ibis,  1866,  p.  354;  Cab.  &  Heine 
(pt.),  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  178  (1863) ;  Gray  (pt.),  Hand-1.  B. 
ii.  p.  190,  no.  8667  (1870) ;  Gould,  B.  Asia,  vi.  pi.  xix.  figs. 
S  juv.  and   ?  ad.  (1876). 

Micropicos  concretus,  Malh.  N.  Classif.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz, 
1848-49,  p.  331. 

Micropicus  concretus^  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  187, 
pi.  xli.  fig.  1  S  juv.,  fig.  3  ?  ad.  (1861). 

Micropicus  hartlaubi,  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  189, 
pi.  xli.  fig.  5  S  ad.,  fig.  6  ?  juv.  (1861). 

Hemicercus  hartlaubi,  Gould,  B.  Asia,  figs.  ,^  ad.  and 
?  ad.  11876). 

*  Reicheubacli  'briefly  describes  a  bird  under  the  title  oi  Meiglyptes 
sorchchis,  aud  gives  as  its  habitat  Teiiasserini.  I  am  unable  (as  was 
Malherbe)  even  to  say  to  what  genus  this  bird  should  be  referred,  the 
description  being  insufficient  to  assign  it  to  any  known  species. 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  251 

Adult  male.  Upper  back  and  scapularies  black,  the  feathers 
margined  with  buffy  white^  and  showing  a  large  heart-shaped 
black  spot  J  the  concealed  portion  being  barred  with  white  ; 
lower  back  purplish  slate,  the  feathers  margined  with  bnify 
white ;  bastard-wing  and  primary-coverts  black,  tipped  with 
buffy  white ;  edge  of  wing  buffy  white ;  quills  black,  inner 
webs  of  the  primaries  margined  with  white  on  their  basal 
half,  outer  webs  of  secondaries  spotted  with  white,  the  inner 
webs  being  margined  along  their  whole  length  with  the  same, 
the  innermost  barred  and  tipped  with  bufiy  white,  the  black 
bars  being  very  broad  and  forming  a  large  spot  at  the  tip ; 
shafts  black;  rump  buflFy  white;  upper  tail-coverts  black, 
tipped  with  buffy  white ;  tail  black,  the  dwarf  feather  tipped 
with  buffy  white ;  shafts  black  ;  nasal  plumes  olive-grey ; 
forehead,  crown,  and  entire  crest  brilliant  scarlet ;  hind  neck 
buffy  white ;  lores,  entire  sides  of  the  face  and  neck,  also 
from  the  chin  to  the  vent  (inclusive) ,  olive-grey,  less  olive  on 
the  chin  and  throat ;  an  indication  of  a  white  stripe  down 
the  side  of  the  neck;  thigh-feathers  black,  margined  with 
dull  buffy  white,  the  black  forming  a  large  heart-shaped  spot 
at  the  tip ;  the  feathers  of  the  abdomen  and  flanks  tipped 
with  dull  buffy  white ;  under  tail-coverts  black,  with  whitish 
tips ;  under  wing-coverts  buffy  white.  Total  length  5' 5 
inches,  culinen  0'8,  wing  3"35,  tail  ri5,  tarsus  0*65;  toes 
(without  claws) — outer  anterior  0*6,  outer  posterior  0*65, 
inner  anterior  0*4,  inner  posterior  0*28. 

Young  male.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead  and  crown  bright  rufous  buff;  the  entire  crest  bright 
flame-red ;  hind  neck  dull  buffy  white ;  the  feathers  of  the 
underparts  tipped  with  greyish  white  ;  the  buffy-white  stripe 
down  the  side  of  the  neck  well  marked ;  the  feathers  of  the 
upper  back,  the  wing-coverts,  and  inner  quills  having  more 
white  upon  them;  dwarf  tail-feather  broadly  tipped  with 
pure  white ;  the  two  next  inner  feathers,  on  either  side,  also 
tipped  with  white ;  the  feathers  of  the  lower  back  broadly 
tipped  with  buffy  white. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 

u2 


252  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

forehead^  crowu^  and  entire  crest  olive-grey.     Total  length 
5*2  inches,  culmen  0'8,  wing  3"35,  tail  1*2;  tarsus  0'65. 

This  being  a  rare  species  in  collections,  I  have  only  had 
an  opportunity  of  examining  the  specimens  contained  in  the 
British  and  Leiden  Museums,  and  cannot  give  all  the  stages 
of  plumage  through  which  the  species  passes.  I  therefore 
append  those  at  present  known  to  me. 

Male,  young.  Forehead  and  crown  bright  rufous  buff ;  occi- 
pital and  nuchal  crest  bright  flame-red. 

Male,  adult.  Forehead,  crown,  and  entire  crest  scarlet. 

Female,  adult.  Forehead,  crown,  and  crest  olive-grey,  and 
resembling  the  adult  female  of  H.  sordidus. 

The  present  species  is  confined  to  the  Island  of  Java. 
Other  localities  have  been  assigned  to  it,  but  in  the  large 
series  of  specimens  of  Hemicercus  from  other  localities  which 
I  have  examined  in  the  collections  of  the  British  and  Leiden 
Museums,  in  that  of  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  as  well  as  in 
my  own  cabinet,  I  have  not  seen  a  bird  that  could  be  mis- 
taken for  the  present  species,  the  red  crown  and  crest  of  the 
adult  male,  and  the  uniform  brilliant  flame-coloured  crest  of 
the  young,  clearly  distinguishing  it  from  H.  sordidus. 

3.  Hemicercus  canente. 

Pieus  canente,  Less.  Cent.  Zool.  p.  215,  pi.  Ixxiii.  (1830)  ^ ; 
id.  Belang.  Voy.  iii.  p.  240  (1834)  c?;  id.  Compl.  Buff.  ix. 
p.  305  (1837)  ;  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  146  (1876). 

Hemicercus  canente.  Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  437  (1845);  Blyth, 
J.  A.  S.  B.  XV.  p.  282  (1846);  id.  Cat.  B.  Mus.  As.  Soc. 
p.  54  (1849) ;  Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cat.  B.  Mus.  E.L  Co.  ii. 
p.  650  (1856-58)  ;  Jerd.  (pt.)  B.  Ind.  i.  p.  280  (1862)  ;  Blyth, 
J.  A.  S.  B.  1863,  p.  75  ;  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  176 
(1863);  Blyth,  Ibis,  1866,  pp.  349-354;  Gray,  List.  Picid. 
Brit.  Mus.  p.  71  (1868) ;  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  190,  no.  8668 
(1870);  Blyth,  Ibis,  1870,  p.  169;  Blanford,  t.  c.  p.  464; 
Elwes,  t.  c.  p.  527;  Hume  &  Davison,  Str.  F.  1874,  p.  471 ; 
id.  &  Gates,  op.  cit.  1875,  pp.  14,  60;  Blyth  &  Wald.  B. 
Burm.  1875,  p.  74;  Wald.  Ibis,  1876,  p.  344;  Hume,  Str. 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  253 

F.  1877,  p.  25  ;  id.  &  Davison,  op.  cit.  1878,  vi.  pp.  127, 500 ; 
Hume,  op.  cit.  1880,  p.  112;  Bingham,  t.  c.  p.  161;  Gates, 
op.  cit.  1882,  p.  190;  id.  B.  Brit.  Burm.  ii.  p.  30  (1883). 

Micropicos  canente,  Malh.  N.  Classif.  Mem.  Acad.  Metz, 
1848-49,  p.  331. 

Hemicercus  canens,  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  129  (1850) ; 
id.  Consp.  Volucr.  Zygod.  p.  9  (1854) ;  Reichenb.  Handb. 
Scans.  Picinffi,  p.  401,  pi.  dclvi.  figs.  ^  ?  ad.  4366,  4367 
(1854). 

Micropicus  canente  (pt.),  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  190, 
pi.  xlii.  figs.  1,  2  (1861). 

Picus  canente,  var.  orientalis,  Siindev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin. 
p.  11  (1866). 

Adult  male.  Back  and  scapularies  black,  with  a  broad  stripe 
of  bufiy  yellowish  white  running  down  the  middle  of  the 
interscapular  region ;  a  broad  shoulder-patch  extending  the 
whole  length  of  the  forearm  pale  buif,  as  are  likewise  the 
innermost  quill-feathers,  these,  as  well  as  the  lower  lesser 
wing-coverts,  having  a  large  heart-shaped  spot  of  black  near 
the  tip ;  median  and  greater  wing-coverts  black,  their  basal 
portion,  also  the  margin  at  the  tip,  being  buffy  white  or  pale 
buflp,  a  conspicuous  patch  of  this  colour  on  the  edge  of  the 
wing ;  bastard- wing  and  primary-coverts  black ;  quills  and 
their  shafts  black ;  rump  pale  buff,  the  lower  feathers  barred 
with  black  at  the  tip  ;  upper  tail-coverts,  tail,  and  tail-shafts 
black ;  nasal  plumes,  lores,  face,  entire  crown,  as  well  as  the 
occipital  crest  and  nape  black,  the  lores  and  sinciput  mi- 
nutely spotted  with  white ;  chin  and  throat  dull  buffy  or 
yellowish  white,  running  into  greenish  dusky  on  the  fore 
neck ;  a  stripe  of  clear  pale  buff  from  the  lower  mandible 
extending  down  the  side  of  the  neck  as  far  as  the  chest,  some 
of  the  inner  feathers  on  the  side  of  the  chest  having  a  large 
spot  of  black ;  outside  the  light  stripe  on  the  side  of  the 
chest  a  conspicuous  tuft  of  black  feathers ;  from  the  chest  to 
the  vent,  inclusive,  dusky  green,  rather  blacker  on  the  flanks, 
thighs,  and  vent;  under  tail-coverts  greenish  black;  under 
wing-coverts  and  axillaries  pale  buff',  with  a  slight  tinge  of 
yellow ;  "  legs  and  feet  dark  greenish  horny,  dark  greenish 


254  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  Woodpeckers 

plumbeous,  or  very  dark  sap-green,  often  appearing  all  but 
black  ;  the  claws  blackish  plumbeous  or  black ;  bill  black ; 
irides  dark  brown  or  dark  reddish  brown ^^  {Hume  ^  Oates). 
Total  length  6*8  inches,  culmen  1*05,  wing  3*85,  tail  \'4>, 
tarsus  0*78;  toes  (without  claws) — outer  anterior  0*65,  outer 
posterior  0*72,  inner  anterior  0*45,  inner  posterior  0"35. 

Immature  male.  In  the  plumage  of  the  adult  male,  but 
altogether  more  dusky  in  colour,  especially  the  light  portions  ; 
scapularies  narrowly  margined  with  buffy  white;  the  chin, 
throat,  also  the  stripe  down  the  side  of  the  neck,  dirty  buify 
or  brownish  white ;  from  the  fore  neck  to  the  abdomen,  in- 
clusive, dusky  brown  ;  under  wing-coverts  dirty  buify  white. 

Young  male.  In  the  plumage  of  the  female,  but  differing 
from  the  adult  of  this  sex  in  being  less  intensely  black  in  the 
dark  parts  of  the  plumage,  the  light  portions  being  dingy 
buffy  white  or  brownish  white ;  the  forehead  and  crown 
inclining  more  to  buff,  but  none  of  the  light  parts  with  any 
tinge  of  yellow ;  the  light  stripe  from  the  lower  mandible, 
so  conspicuous  in  the  adult,  scarcely  perceptible;  under- 
parts  dusky  brown  ;  the  flanks,  thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts 
dull  buffy  white.  Closely  resembling  the  immature  female 
(not  nestling),  but  slightly  lighter  in  colour. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the  fore- 
head and  crown  pale  buff;  soft  parts  the  same  as  in  the  male. 
Total  length 6*3 inches,  culmen0"8,  wing 3*85, tail  1*4, tarsusO*7. 

Immature  female .  Having  the  forehead  and  crown  dingy 
pale  buff';  in  other  respects  resembling  the  immature  male. 

Female,  iiestling.  Differs  from  the  adult  female  in  the 
absence  of  any  yellow  tinge  on  the  light  portions  of  the 
plumage ;  shoulder-patch  lighter,  and  the  spotting  upon  it, 
as  well  as  upon  the  inner  quills,  considerably  less  developed ; 
the  light  tips  to  the  median  and  greater  wing-coverts  broader ; 
rump  lighter  ;  forehead  and  crown  deep  buff;  chin  and 
throat  white;  a  black  stripe  from  the  lower  mandible  run- 
ning on  to  the  fore  neck,  and  above  this  a  white  stripe  down 
the  neck  as  far  as  the  side  of  the  chest ;  from  the  fore  neck 
to  the  under  tail-coverts,  inclusive,  brownish  black ;  under 
wing-coverts  and  axillarios  almost  pure  white. 


of  the  Genus  Hemicercus.  255 

Much  perplexity   has  existed  as  to  the  identity   of  the 
sexes  of  this  species  as  well  as  of  H.  cordatus.     Dr.  Jerdon 
described  the  buffy  white  crown  as  a  character  of  the  male, 
and  the  spotted  crown  as  a  character  of  the  female.     Siinde- 
vall,  as  well  as  Cabanis  and  Heine,  shared  this  view,  while, 
on  the  contrary,  Malherbe  considered   the    spotted-headed 
bird  to  be  the  male ;  and  this  opinion  was  held  by  Colonel 
Tickell,  who,  in  his  MS.  "^  Illustrations  to  Indian  Ornithology,^ 
has  figured  the  white-crowned  bird  as  the  female.    Mr.  Hume 
endorses  Malherbe^s  opinion,  and  considers  his  views  fully 
corroborated  by  the  large  number  of  specimens  of  which  the 
sexes  have  been  carefully  determined  by  his  trustworthy  col- 
lectors.    I  was  at  first  inclined  to  think  that  there  were  two 
species  inhabiting  Burmah,  Tenasserim,  and  probably  Siam 
(one  in  which  both  the  male  and  female  had  spotted  heads, 
and  another  in  which  both  male  and  female  had  a  buffy-white 
cap),  and  that  two  smaller  races  of  these  existed  in  Malabar 
and  the  peninsula  of  India.     The  different  opinions  held  by 
so  many  learned  authors  seemed  to  justify  such  an  idea,  as  I 
presumed  that  the  specimens  collected  and  examined  by  Dr. 
Jerdon  and  others  were  determined.     Mr.  Hume,  however, 
than  whom  we  can  have  no  better  authority,  has  examined  a 
very  large  series  of  specimens,   and  he  states  that  the  bird 
with  the  spotted  head  is  the  male,  and  that  the  light-crowned 
bird  is  the  female,  also  that  the  young  male  resembles  the 
female  in  having  the  light  crown,  which  disappears  with  age, 
the  feathers  becoming   black,    very   minutely  spotted  with 
white  at  the  tip,  the  change  commencing  at  the  extremity  of 
the  feather.     Upon  examining  the  black-headed  birds,  one 
constantly  finds  specimens  (evidently  immature)  in  which  the 
bases  of  the  feathers  of  the  forehead  and  crown  are  white, 
clearly  showing  the  change  of  plumage,  which  is  not  the 
result  of  a  moult,  but  a  change  of  colour  in  the  feather  itself, 
the  black  first  appearing  on  the  tip.     I  have  in  my  collection 
a  specimen  from  the  Arrakan  hills  {E,  W.  Oates)  which  is 
a  spotted- headed  bird,  but  marked  female ;   and  Mr.  Oates 
drew  my  attention  to  this,  saying  he  had  no  reason  to  doubt 
the  accuracy  of  the  determination.     While  unable  to  account 


256  Mr.  E.  Hargitt  on  the  fVoodpeckers 

for  tliis^  I  consider  Mr.  Hiime^s  views  on  the  subject  to  be 
so  strongly  supported  by  satisfactory  evidence,  that  we  may 
safely  adopt  them.  The  latter  author,  in  '  Stray  Feathers/ 
1878,  p.  127,  gives  the  Karen  hills,  doubtfully,  as  a  habitat 
of  this  species,  on  account  of  Lord  Walden^s  note  in  Blyth^s 
'  Birds  of  Burma,^  which  is  as  follows  : — "  Two  males  are 
sent  by  Mr.  Ramsay.  One  has  the  head  uniform  deep  black, 
the  other  with  a  few  buff  markings  on  the  feathers  of  the 
forehead  and  croAvn ; "  and  Mr.  Hume  remarks  that  "  the 
description  (if  accurate)  of  a  uniform  head,  seems  to  indicate 
a  new  species.^'  I  have  these  specimens  (which  are  true  H. 
canente)  from  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay^  s  collection  before  me 
while  I  write.  The  first-named  bird  is  a  male,  and  the  top  of 
the  head  is  not  uniform  black,  the  forehead  and  crown  being 
minutely  speckled  with  white;  the  other  example  is  also  a 
male,  with  the  forehead  and  crown  also  minutely  speckled 
with  white,  but  still  having  a  few  of  the  buffy  feathers  of  the 
young  stage  of  plumage  remaining  on  the  forehead  and  fore 
part  of  the  crown  (these  being  without  black  tips)  ;  and  upon 
the  hind  jjortion  of  the  crown  these  immature  feathers  have 
their  partially  exposed  bases  still  white,  the  tips  being  black. 
I  have  in  my  own  collection  a  male  bird  from  Tenasserim 
Town  {Mr.  Davison)  almost  identical  in  plumage  with  the 
latter  specimen. 

The  most  northerly  habitat  of  this  species,  so  far  as  I 
know,  is  Cachar,  in  the  north-eastern  portion  of  which  ex- 
amples have  been  obtained  by  Mr.  Inglis.  Mr.  Eugene 
Gates  says  "it  occurs  locally  throughout  British  Burmah, 
being  very  abundant  in  some  places  and  apparently  absent  in 
others.^'  In  his  "List  of  Birds  obtained  in  the  Irrawadi" 
(Ibis,  1870,  p.  464),  Mr.  Blanford  gives  Bassein  as  a  locality, 
but  says  it  is  not  common.  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  pro- 
cured this  species  on  the  Karen  hills,  at  from  500  to  4000 
feet.  Capt.  Bingham  observes  that  it  is  not  very  plentiful  in 
the  Thoungyeen  jungles,  but  that  he  has  seen  the  bird  from 
the  head-waters  of  the  stream  nearly  to  its  mouth.  Mr. 
Hume^s  collection  contains  specimens  from  the  following 
localities  : — Pahpoon,  Salween  river^  Beeling,  Thatone,  Wim- 


of  the  Genus  Heraicercus.  257 

pong,  Kaukaryit,  Hongthraw  river,  Khyin,  Meetan,  Amherst, 
Zadee,  Meeta  Myo,  Zadawoon,  Tenasserim  Town,  Laynah, 
Pakchan,  Bankasoon.  Mr.  Darling  obtained  this  species  at 
Kussoom,  about  120  miles  south  of  the  southernmost  point 
of  Tenasserim ;  this  would  appear  to  be  the  extent  of  its 
range  in  that  direction,  as  far  as  is  known  to  us. 

4.  Hemicercus  cordatus. 

Hemicercus  cordatus,  Jerd.  Madr.  Journ.  xi.  p.  211  (1840) ; 
Gray,  Gen.  B.  ii.  p.  437  (1845) ;  Jerd.  111.  Ind.  Orn.  pi.  xl. 
(1847);  Bp.  Consp.  Gen.  Av.  i.  p.  129  (1850);  Heichenb. 
Handb.  Scans.  Piciuce,  p.  401,  pi.  dclvi.  figs.  4368,  4369, 
(^  ?  ad.  (1854)  ;  Cab.  &  Heine,  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  175  (1863)  ; 
Blyth,  Ibis,  1866,  pp.  249,  254  ;  Gray,  ListPicid.  Brit.  Mus. 
p.  71  (1868);  id.  Hand-1.  B.  ii.  p.  191,  no.  8669  (1870); 
Blyth,  Ibis,  1870,  p.  169;  Hume,  Str.  F.  1876,  p.  389; 
Gould,  B.  Asia,  vi.  pi.  xviii.  figs.  ^  ?  ad.  (1876)  ;  Davidson 
&  Wenden,  Str.  F.  1878,  vii.  p.  95 ;  Butler,  op.  cit.  1880, 
p.  385;  Davidson,  op.  cit.  1883,  p.  354.1 

Hemicercus  canente  (pt.),  Horsf.  &  Moore,  Cat.  B.  Mus. 
E.I.  Co.  ii.  p.  650  (1856-58). 

Micropicus  canente  (pt.),  Malh.  Monogr.  Picid.  i.  p.  190, 
pi.  xlii.  figs.  1,  2  (1861). 

Hemicercus  canente  (non  Less.),  Jerd.  B.  Ind.  i.  p.  280 
(1862);  Salvin,  Cat.  Strickl.  Coll.  p.  401  (1882). 

Picus  canente,  var,  occidentalis,  Sundev.  Consp.  Av.  Picin. 
p.  11  (1866). 

Picus  cordatus,  Giebel,  Thes.  Orn.  p.  151  (1876). 

Hemicirens  canente,  ?lapsu,  Butler,  Str.  F.  1877,  p.  503. 

Adult  male.  Back  and  scapularies  black,  with  a  broad  yel- 
lowish-white stripe  extending  from  the  base  of  the  hind  neck 
to  the  middle  of  the  back;  rump  buffy  white  tinged  with 
yellow,  a  few  of  the  outer  feathers  tipped  with  black ;  outer 
wing-coverts  black,  narrowly  margined  at  the  tip  with  buffy 
white ;  a  conspicuous  patch  of  pale  buff",  tinged  with  yellow, 
covering  nearly  the  whole  of  the  forearm,  crossing  the  wing 
longitudinally,  and  comprising  the  inner  half  of  all  the 
coverts,  the  median  and  greater  series  having  a  large  heart- 


258       On  the  Woodpeckers  of  the  Genus  Hemicercus. 

shaped  spot  of  black  at  the  tip;  edge  of  wing  yellowish 
white ;  bastard- wing  and  primary-coverts  black ;  quills  black, 
the  base  of  the  inner  webs  white  ;  the  inner  secondaries  buffy 
white,  having  at  the  tip  a  broad  black  bar,  or  upon  the  inner- 
most of  all  a  black  heart-shaped  spot ;  shafts  black  ;  upper 
tail-coverts,  tail,  and  tail-shafts  black ;  nasal  plumes,  fore- 
head, crown,  occipital  crest,  nape,  and  hind  neck,  also  the 
upper  part  of  the  face,  in  a  line  from  the  nostrils  to  the  nape, 
black,  the  forehead  and  crown  minutely  speckled  with  white ; 
a  stripe  of  pale  buff  (tinged  with  yellow)  from  under  the  eye, 
passing  under  the  ear-coverts  and  running  down  the  side  of 
the  neck  on  to  the  side  of  the  chest,  upon  the  latter  region 
the  buffy- white  feathers  having  a  large  black  spot  at  the  tip ; 
cheeks,  chin,  and  throat  pale  buff,  slightly  tinged  with  yel- 
low ;  fore  neck,  and  a  stripe  from  behind  the  cheeks  border- 
ing the  chin  and  throat,  greyish  olive,  the  feathers  next  to 
the  light  stripe  down  the  side  of  the  neck  being  slightly 
varied  with  black ;  chest,  breast,  and  abdomen  dusky  olive, 
brighter  on  the  chest ;  flanks,  thighs,  vent,  and  under  tail- 
coverts  black,  the  feathers  of  the  vent  having  an  almost  ob- 
solete margin  of  dirty  white  at  the  extreme  tip ;  under  wing- 
coverts  and  axillaries  yellowish  white ;  underside  of  quill- 
and  tail-shafts  dirty  whitish,  the  tips  of  the  latter  dusky ; 
''  bill  black  ;  legs  and  feet  blackish,  tinged  with  plumbeous ; 
irides  deep  brown''  {PV.  Davidson).  Total  length  5*7  inches, 
culmen  0'85,  wing  3 "7,  tail  1'35,  tarsus  0"7  ;  toes  (without 
claws) — outer  anterior  0*63,  outer  posterior  0*72,  inner  an- 
terior 0*45,  inner  posterior  0"32. 

Adult  female.  Differs  from  the  adult  male  in  having  the 
forehead  and  crown  pale  buff.  Total  length  5*5  inches,  cul- 
men 0"75,  wing  3'45,  tail  1*3,  tarsus  0"63. 

This  bird  is  fairly  entitled  to  rank  as  a  subspecies  and  to 
bear  the  name  bestowed  upon  it  by  Dr.  Jerdon.  Although 
it  resembles  H.  canente  in  the  plumage  of  both  sexes,  its  very 
much  smaller  size  is  so  conspicuous  that  it  cannot  be  mistaken 
for  the  latter  species.  Although  the  measurements  of  the  toes 
are  nearly  the  same  in  both  birds,  in  H.  cordatus  they  are  much 
more  slender,  H.  canente  having  the  tarsi  and  toes  very  stout. 


Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  Birds  from  Central  China.      259 

The  present  species  is,,  so  far  as  we  know,  confined  to  the 
southern  portion  of  India.  Dr.  Jerdon  says  it  is  found  in 
the  forests  of  Malabar,  generally  on  high  trees,  and  in  pairs, 
both  above  and  below  the  Ghats.  He  also  procured  it  in 
the  forests  in  the  Chanda  district.  South-east  of  Nagpore. 
Capt.  Butler  (Str.  F.  1880,  p.  385)  observes  that  it  is  rare 
in  the  Deccan  and  South  Mahratta  country,  occurring 
sparingly  along  the  Sahyadri  range  as  far  north  as  Khandala. 
Mr.  Laird  procured  it  in  the  forests  north  of  Belgaum  and 
in  North  Kanara.  Mr.  Davidson  (Str.  ¥.  1883,  p.  354)  says 
that  "  in  the  Wynaad  and  Mysore  country  it  is  not  a  common 
bird,  and  found  in  pairs  or  parties  sparingly  distributed.  It 
ascends  the  slopes  of  the  hills  to  about  3000  feet.^^ 

It  is  included  in  Mr.  Hume^s  '  List  of  the  Birds  of  the 
Travancore  Hills,^  having  been  obtained  at  Mynall  by  M. 
Bourdillon. 


XXX. — On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Central  China. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 

I  AM  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  John  M.  Mitchell  for 
allowing  me  to  examine  a  collection  of  birds  made  in  the 
valley  of  the  Yang-tse-kiang  river,  in  Central  China,  by  Mr. 
Frederick  Styan.  They  Avere  principally  obtained  near  Kiu- 
kiang,  450  miles  up  the  river,  and  on  the  Lushan  range  of 
mountains,  which  lie  directly  behind  Kiukiang,  at  a  distance 
of  five  or  six  miles  as  the  crow  flies.  These  mountains  run 
in  a  south-westerly  direction  for  twenty  miles  or  more,  and 
the  highest  peak  is  about  5000  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea.  The  hills  are  broken  and  rugged,  and,  for  the  most 
part,  covered  with  dense  scrub  nearly  breast-high.  The 
highest  range  is  covered  with  long  coarse  grass,  and  a  few 
stunted  pines  creep  up  to  the  summit ;  but  up  to  about  2000 
feet  the  pine-forests  cover  extensive  areas.  Mingled  with 
the  pines,  but  not,  as  a  rule,  extending  quite  so  high,  are 
large  tracts  of  bamboos,  amongst  which  are  sprinkled  mag- 
nolias, camphor-trees,  camellias,  laurels,  azaleas,  &c. 


260  Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on 

9*.    BUTEO  VULGARIS. 

An  example  with  very  conspicuously  barred  thighs^  and 
with  the  tarsus  feathered  to  within  an  inch  of  the  toes,  may 
fairly  claim  to  be  considered  to  belong  to  var.  japonicus. 

13.    BlTTASTBR  INDICUS. 

15.  Falco  peregrinus. 
Kiukiang,  December. 

15  a.  Falco  melanogenys. 

A  male  and  female,  both  shot  on  the  18th  of  March  at 
Hai  San,  are  pronounced  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  to  be  of  this 
species.  They  differ  from  our  Peregrine,  which  is  probably 
only  a  winter  visitor  to  Central  China,  in  being  slightly 
smaller,  and  in  having  the  underparts  below  the  breast  much 
barred  and  sufPnsed  with  slate-grey ;  but  the  most  important 
character  is  the  colour  of  the  head  and  nape,  which  are  nearly 
black,  shading  into  slate-grey  on  the  mantle.  This  sjiecies 
can  scarcely  be  more  than  a  local  race  of  our  Peregrine, 
breeding  in  Australia,  ranging  northwards  to  Borneo  and 
Central  China  and  westwards  to  Sumatra  and  Java,  and 
intermediate  in  appearance  between  our  bird  and  the  North- 
west Indian  race,  F.  ati'iceps,  in  which  the  whole  of  the  upper 
parts  are  very  dark  slate-grey,  approaching  black.  Mr. 
Gurney  informs  me  that  the  Norwich  Museum  possesses  an 
example  from  Amoy,  the  most  northerly  locality  previously 
known. 

23.    MiLVUS  MELANOTIS. 

Four  examples,  large  birds,  showing  much  white  at  the 
base  of  the  primaries  below  the  under  wing-coverts,  and  with 
little  or  no  white  on  the  forehead,  are  referable  to  this  species, 
which  can  only  be  regarded  as  the  eastern  race  of  our  Black 
Kite. 

33.  Circus  ^eruginosus. 

An  example  with  dark-chestnut  belly,  thighs,  and  under 

*  The  numljers  refer  to  Swinlioe's  "  Catalogue  of  the  ]3irds  of  China," 
published  in  the  '  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London '  for 
1871,  pp.  337-423. 


Birds  from  Central  China.  261 

tail-covertSj  and  brown  unbarred  tail,  is  dated  30th  November, 
and  seems  to  prove  that  our  Marsh-Harrier  goes  to  China. 

34.  Circus  spilonotus. 

A  male,  dated  Kiukiaug,  17th  November,  with  the  belly, 
thighs,  and  under  tail-coverts  white,  with  traces  only  of 
chestnut  spots  or  shaft-lines,  but  with  a  barred  tail,  seems  to 
belong  unquestionably  to  the  eastern  form  of  the  Marsh- 
Harrier.  A  female,  dated  a  week  later,  has  the  tail  more 
broadly  barred,  and  the  ground-colour  of  the  underparts 
rufous  instead  of  white.     In  both  the  primaries  are  barred. 

40.  Athene  whitelyi. 

An  example  dated  Poyang  Lake,  January,  seems  to  prove 
that  all  these  Owls  do  not  migrate  south  in  winter, 

55.  Otus  brachyotus. 

An  example,  dated  Kiukiang,  28th  April,  is  rufous. 

66.    HlRUNDO  GUTTURALIS. 

Kiukiang,  15th  July. 

77.  Halcyon  pileatus. 
An  example,  bought  alive. 

78.  Alcedo  bengalensis. 
Kiukiang,  July  and  September. 

82.  Upupa  epops. 
Kiukiang,  December. 

106.  Suya  striata. 
Lushan,  December. 

109.    CiSTICOLA  SCHCENICOLA. 

Kiukiang,  30th  August. 

112.    ACROCEPHALUS  ORIENTALIS. 

Wuhn,  20th  October. 

118.  Cettia  canturians. 
Kiukiang,  11th  April. 

139.  Phylloscopus  proregulus. 
Two  examples. 


263  Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on 

145.    RUTICILLA  AUROREA. 

Kiukiang^  November. 

149.  Xanthopygia  fuliginosa. 
Lushan,  26th  March. 

150.  Thamnobia  leucocephala. 

154.  Tarsiger  cyanurus. 
Kiukiang,  March  and  November. 

175.  Parus  minor. 

191.  motacilla  leucopsis. 

Kiukiaug^  September,  October_,  and  February. 

196.    MOTACILLA  OCULARIS. 

Poyang  Lake,  January. 

202.    MOTACILLA  SULPHUREA. 

Lushau,  6th  April. 

204.  Henicurus  sinensis. 
Kiukiang,  4th  November. 

206.  Henicurus  scouleri. 
Kiukiangj  26th  September. 

206  a.  Heterura  sylvana. 

Nankaug,  15th  December.  This  species  is  a  very  inter- 
esting addition  to  the  birds  of  China.  It  has  hitherto  been 
found  only  on  the  Himalayas.  It  is  a  mountain  Pipit,  which, 
under  the  '^  furor  genericus/^  has  been  allowed  to  set  up  a 
genus  of  its  own. 

208  a.  Anthus  ludovicianus. 

Poyang  Lake,  January.  This  Pipit  is,  no  doubt,  a  winter 
visitor  to  Central  China.  It  is  the  Nearctic  form  of  our 
Alpine  Pipit,  A.  spinoletta,  from  which  ifonly  difiers  in  being 
smaller  and  darker.  It  is  a  common  winter  visitor  to  Japan, 
and  was  named  A.  japonicus  by  Temminck  and  Schlegel. 

214.  Merula  naumanni. 

Several  skins,  dated  November,  December,  and  January. 
Probably  a  winter  visitor  only. 


Birds  from  Central  China.  263 

215.  Merula  fuscata. 

Skins  dated  from  8th  November  to  8th  April.     No  doubt 
a  winter  visitor  from  the  tundras  of  Eastern  Siberia. 

218.  Merula  pallida. 

225.  Merula  mandarina. 

226.  Geocichla  varia. 
LushaUj  4th  April. 

232.  Monttcola  cyanus-solitarius. 

Poyang  Lake,  5th  December.  A  female  of  one  of  these 
two  forms_,  or,  more  probably,  of  an  intermediate  form. 

233.  Myiophonbus  CjEruleus. 
Lushan,  8th  April. 

235.    CiNCLUS  PALLAST. 

Kiukiang,  August. 

242.  Pycnonotus  sinensis. 

Kiukiang,  January,  July,  and  November. 

244.  Pycnonotus  xanthorrhous. 
Sin  Fung,  January. 

247.  Spizixus  semitorques. 
Kiukiang,  2nd  February. 

254 «.    POMATORHINUS  STYANI,  UOV.  Sp. 

Lushan,  4th  April  and  8th  November^  The  genus  Poma- 
torhinus  was  monographed  by  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  (Ibis, 
1878,  pp.  129-145)  and  afterwards  by  Mr.  Bowdler  Sharpe 
(Cat.  Birds  Brit.  Mus.  vii.  pp.  408-432),  and  P.  ruficollis  has 
been  specially  investigated  by  Col.  Godwin-Austen  (Journ. 
As.  Soc.  Beng.  1876,  p.  75)  and  by  FAbbe  David  and  Mons. 
Oustalet  (Ois.  de  la  Chine,  p.  186) ;  nevertheless  it  appears 
to  me  that  three  distinct  species  are  confused  together 
under  this  name  by  all  the  writers  I  have  named.  Mr. 
Sharpe  confesses  that  he  accepted  the  verdict  of  these 
distinguished  authorities  against  the  validity  of  Swinlioe's 
species  without  trying  the  case  himself;  but  after  comparing 


364  Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on 

Mr.  Styau^s  skius  and  those  in  the  Swinhoe  collection^  which 
include  examples  collected  by  I'Abbe  David  in  Moupin  and 
Sechuen^  with  a  large  series  from  Nepal  and  Sikkim^  he 
endorses  my  subdivision  of  this  species  into  threCj  all  of 
which  have  white  throats  and  white  margins  to  the  feathers 
of  the  breast ;  but 

P.  ruficollis  has  the  breast-streaks  and  the  underparts  below 
the  breast  russet-brown ; 

P.  stridulus  has  the  breast-streaks  rich  chestnut^  contrast- 
ing with  the  russet-brown  underparts  below  the  breast ;  and 

P.  styani  has  the  breast-streaks  and  the  underparts  below 
the  breast  olive-brown. 

There  is  little  or  no  difference  in  the  colour  of  the  upper 
parts  (except  that  P.  styani  is  slightly  more  olive  (less  russet) 
on  the  rump  and  upper  tail- coverts)  ;  but  P.  ruficollis  has 
much  larger  feet  than  the  other  two  species^  the  hinder  toe 
and  claAv  varying  in  length  from  TO  to  0'8  inch  in  this 
species^  from  0*85  to  0*7  inch  in  P.  stridulus,  and  from  0"75 
to  0-7  inch  in  P.  styani. 

P.  ruficollis  appears  to  be  a  resident  in  Nepal,  Sikkim,  and 
■  Assam. 

P.  stridulus  appears  to  be  confined  to  South  China  from 
Sechuen  to  Tokien. 

P.  styani  is  at  present  only  known  from  the  valley  of  the 
Yang-tse-kiang  and  the  adjoining  district  of  Eastern  Thibet, 
but  may  possibly  also  occur  in  Assam.  Mr.  Styan  describes 
it  as  common  on  the  Lushan  hills  behind  Kiukiang,  where  it 
frequents  the  thick  cover  of  the  lower  slopes.  It  is  a  shy 
skulking  bird,  creeping  through  the  cover,  and  only  occa- 
sional glimpses  of  it  can  be  obtained  as  it  flits  from  bush  to 
bush.  In  spring  it  is  seen  in  pairs,  but  in  autumn  flocks  of 
twenty  or  more  are  found  together.  From  March  to  No- 
vember they  sing  incessantly,  more  especially  in  spring  and 
autumn.  Mr.  Styan  describes  the  song  as  very  similar  to 
that  of  the  so-called  "Chinese  Thrush"  {Trochalopterum 
canorum),  a  nearly  allied  bird,  which  is  kept  in  thousands  by 
the  Chinese  on  account  of  its  wonderful  singing  powers.  He 
further  adds,    "the   song   is  very  sweet  and  musical,  and 


Birds  from  Central  China.  265 

poured  forth  with  a  vigour  which  reminds  me  of  the  Sky- 
Lark  ;  in  the  early  mornings  and  again  about  sunset,  it  may 
be  heard  issuing  in  all  directions  from  the  copses  high  up 
on  the  hill-sides,  and  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  notes  I 
know." 

257.  Trochalopterum  canorum. 
Bought  alive. 

260.    GaRRULAX  PERSPICILLATUS. 

October  and  January. 

263.  Garrulax  sannio. 
Kiukiang. 

272.    SUTHORA  SUFfUSA. 

Kiukiang. 

290.  Oriolus  chinensis. 

295.  Lanius  schach. 
Nankang,  January  and  March. 

306.  dicrurus  cathcecus. 

310.  Chibia  brevirostris. 
Kiukiang,  24th  September. 

341.    GaRRULUS  SINENSIS. 

January,  April,  and  November. 
344.  Urocissa  sinensis. 

350.  Pica  caudata. 

Of  two  examples,  one  is  a  typical  European  Magpie  and 
the  other  a  P.  leucoptera ;  both  were  shot  in  January. 

351.  Cyanopolius  cyanus. 
March,  April,  July,  and  November. 

353.  CORVUS  LEVAILLANTI. 

Kiukiang,  July  and  October. 

354.  CoRVUS  TORQUATUS. 

Kiukiang,  September  and  October. 

356.  Frugilegus  pastinator. 

ser.  v. — vol.  ii.  x 


266  Mr,  H.  Seebolim  on 

363.    ACRIDOTHERES  CttlSTATELLUS. 

January  and  November. 

366.  Sturnus  cineraceus. 
January,  Marclij  and  November. 

373.  Fringilla  montifringilla. 

Kiukiaug,  21st  February. 

375.  Fringilla  sinica. 
Kiukiang,  23rd  November. 

385.    COCCOTHRAUSTES  MELANURUS. 

Kiukiang,  8tb  March. 

397.  Emberiza  aureola. 
Kiukiang;  2nd  May. 

407.  Emberiza  ciopsis. 
January  and  March. 

410.  Emberiza  pusilla. 
Kiukiang,  1st  March. 

432.  Picus  mandarinus. 

Lushan^  1st  April.  An  intermediate  example,  the  white 
more  developed  than  in  typical  South-Chinese  birds,  but  not 
so  much  so  as  in  typical  North-Chinese  birds. 

441.  Gecinus  guerini. 

Five  examples,  making,  with  the  skins  in  the  Swinhoe  col- 
lection, a  series  of  a  dozen,  lead  me  to  the  conclusion  that 
the  Formosan  bird  cannot  be  separated.  The  variations  in 
general  colour,  and  in  the  amount  of  black  on  the  head  and 
white  on  the  tail,  are  so  great  that  it  seems  probable  that  a 
series  from  a  great  range  of  localities  would  bridge  over  the 
entire  distance  from  G.  canus  of  Siberia  to  G.  occipitalis  of 
the  Himalayas,  between  which  all  these  Chinese  forms  are 
intermediate. 

470.  TURTUR  orientalis. 
March. 

471.  TuRTUR  CHINENSIS. 

December  and  January. 


Birds  from  Central  China.  267 

479.  Phasianus  torquatus. 

Kiukiang,  1st  March.  A  fine  pair  of  birds  of  tlie  typical 
Chinese  form.  Mr.  Dresser  has  lately  obtained  some  inter- 
esting examples  of  Pheasants  from  the  Corea  which  are  inter- 
mediate between  this  species  and  P.  formosanus. 

508.    COTURNIX  COMMUNIS. 

February. 

514.  Otis  dybowskii. 

A  female  agreeing  with  examples  from  Japan.  Taczanowski 
assures  me  that  the  East-Siberian  bird  is  quite  distinct  from 
the  European  species. 

521.  Glareola  orientalis. 
December. 

522.  Vanellus  cristatus. 
Poyang  Lake,  January. 

530.  Charadrius  placidus. 

Two  examples,  without  locality  or  date,  belong  to  this 
species,  which  Swinhoe  renamed  j^Egialitis  hartingi,  and 
Pere  David  Charadrius  longipes. 

534.  Charadrius  minor. 
Kiukiang,  12th  September. 

538.  Totanus  glottis. 
December  and  January. 

543.  Totanus  ochropus. 
Kiukiang,  9th  November. 

550.    SCOLOPAX  RUSTICULA. 

February. 

553.  ScOLOPAX  HORSFIELDI. 

Kiukiang,  2nd  May. 

554.  ScOLOPAX  GALLINAGO. 

Kiukiang,  29th  April  and  7th  October. 

559.  Phalaropus  hyperboreus. 
Kiukiang,  30th  August. 

x2 


268  Mr,  H.  Seebohm  on 

563.  Tringa  alpina. 

Kiukiang  and  Nankang  in  winter. 

566.  Tringa  ruficollis. 
Kiukiang,  12th  September. 

568,  Tringa  temmincki. 
22nd  October. 

570.    NUMENIUS  MINUTUS. 

Kiukiang,  30th  September. 

578.    NUMENIUS  LINEATUS. 

Kiukiang,  2nd  October.  A  handsome  bird,  distinguished 
by  its  long  bill,  white  axillaries,  and  white  rump. 

58i.  Ardea  cinerea. 
Kiukiang,  7th  October. 

587.  Ardea  intermedia. 

Kiukiang,  23rd  July,  It  differs  from  the  next  species,  in 
all  ages  and  at  all  seasons,  in  having  a  yellow  instead  of  a 
black  bill. 

588,  Ardea  garzetta. 
Kiukiang,  17th  November, 

593,  Ardea  prasinosceles. 

594.  Ardea  nycticorax. 
Kiukiang,  10th  July. 

596.  BOTAURUS  stellaris. 
Kiukiang,  March. 

597.  Ardetta  flavicollis. 
Kiukiang,  10th  July. 

599.  Ardetta  sinensis. 
Kiukiang,  28th  June. 

601.  Hydrophasianus  chirurgus. 
Kiukiang,  22nd  June, 

602.  Gallicrex  cristata. 
Kiukiang,  May  and  June. 


Birds  from  Central  China.  269 

G04.  Gallinula  phcenicttra. 
Kiukiang^  10th  July. 

606.     PORZANA   BAILLONI. 

Kiiikiang,  7th  May. 

610,  FULICA  ATRA. 

Kiukiang,  19th  Novembei'. 

611.  PODICEPS   MINOR. 

Kiukiang,  7th  October.  Indistinguishable  from  British 
examples.  The  varieties  known  as  P.  jjhilippensis  are  found 
in  Western  Europe,  and  may  be  referable  to  age. 

618.  Mergus  merganser. 
Kiukiang,  20th  January. 

624.  Anser  albifrons. 
October. 

625.  Anser  erythropus. 

An  example  from  the  river  Yang-tse-kiang,  dated  the  22ud 
of  October,  somewhat  resembles  the  skin  from  Hakodadi 
which  I  determined  as  the  young  of  the  Lesser  White-fronted 
Goose  (Ibis,  1882,  p.  369).  I  see  no  reason  to  change  my 
opinion.  They  differ  from  the  adult  of  A.  brachijrhynchus 
in  having  no  dark  base  to  the  bill,  though  the  nail  is  dark, 
as  it  is  in  the  adult  of  that  species,  and  in  young  only  of 
A.  erythropus. 

627.  Anser  serrirostris. 

An  example  dated  February  measures  2' 5  inches  from  the 
forehead  to  the  tip  of  the  beak.  It  is  an  intermediate  form 
between  A.  segetum  and  A.  grandis,  which  range  in  the 
length  of  bill,  measured  as  above,  from  2'2  to  3'4  inches.  It  is 
certainly  only  subspecifically  distinct  from  the  former,  and 
probably  also  from  the  latter. 

628.  Anas  boschas. 
Poyang  Lake,  December. 

629.  Anas  zonorhyncha. 
Nan  Chang,  December. 


270       Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  Birds  from  Central  China. 

631.  Tadokna  casarca. 
Kiukiang,  November. 

632.  Anas  clypeata. 
Kiukiangj  Marcb. 

633.  Anas  acuta. 
Kiukiangj  February. 

634.  Anas  penelope. 
January. 

636.  Anas  crecca. 
January  and  October. 

639.  EUNETTA  FORMOSA. 

640.  Eunetta  falcata. 

647.   FULIGULA  cristata. 
Kiukiang^  8th  March. 

648a.  Nettapus  coromandelianus. 

Kiukiang,  June  and  July.  The  N.  kopschii  of  Swinhoe 
in  winter  plumage  of  this  species.  David  and  Oustalet  are 
wrong  in  saying  that  the  female  has  no  collar,  and  omit  the 
important  fact  that  she  has  no  white  on  the  primaries. 

649.  Phalacrocorax  carbo. 

657.  Larus  cachinnans. 
Kiukiang,  17th  November. 

660.  Larus  ridibundus. 
January  and  November. 

662.  Sterna  caspia. 
Kiukiang,  3rd  September. 

663.  Hydrochelidon  hybrida. 
Kiukiang,  4th  August. 


Mr.  F.  B.  Simson  on  the  Pink-headed  Duck.         271 

XXXI. — Notes  on  the  Pink-headed  Duck  (Anas 
caryophyllacea) .     By  Frank  B.  Simson. 

The  Pink-headed  Duck  is  a  bird  little  known  to  the  Bengal 
sportsman  and  ornithologist^  and  considered  rare.  It  is^ 
however^  far  from  uncommon  in  a  restricted  area  of  Bengal, 
and  may  be  said  to  make  its  home  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  district  of  Purneah_,  and  in  the  country  which  borders 
the  left  or  northern  bank  of  the  Ganges,  between  the  Coosy 
River,  which  separates  Purneah  from  Bhangulpore,  and  in 
the  Maldah  district.  It  is  found  more  sparingly  in  Bhan- 
gulpore  and  Tirhoot,  and  occasionally  in  likely  places  in  the 
North-western  Provinces  and  in  Upper  India.  Jerdon  re- 
cords it  from  Madras,  though  he  never  saw  it  in  the  flesh 
there.  Specimens  have  been  obtained  in  the  Calcutta 
bazaar,  which  has  yielded  more  ornithological  rarities  than 
any  single  place  in  India.  Col.  Irby  tells  me  he  met  Avith 
it,  and  this  can  be  relied  on.  But  many  people  in  Bengal 
have  told  me  that  they  had  shot  it  in  various  places ;  never- 
theless, whenever  I  could  test  these  statements  I  never  found 
that  any  such  Duck  had  been  killed  lower  in  Eastern  Bengal 
than  Maldah.  The  birds  called  Pink-headed  always  turned 
out  to  be  Bed-crested  Pochards. 

The  country  mentioned  on  the  north  of  the  Ganges  which 
I  have  referred  to  as  the  home  of  this  Duck  is  alluvial,  and 
consists  of  vast,  extensive,  and  much-neglected  plains, 
studded  at  considerable  intervals  Avith  small  poor  villages, 
intersected  Avith  very  deep  clear  streams,  all  miming  to  the 
Ganges  and  abounding  in  crocodiles.  These  plains  are  diffi- 
cult to  cross  on  foot  in  the  dry  season,  except  by  paths  that 
cannot  be  called  roads ;  elephants  are  generally  used  by  all 
but  the  poor  to  travel  with  across  these  Avastes,  AA^iich  are 
often  inundated  when  the  Ganges  rises  high.  To  such  an 
extent  do  these  inundations  occasionally  prevail  that  the 
human  inhabitants  are  compelled  to  take  to  boats,  while 
the  deer  and  game  generally  resort  to  the  few  highest  spots, 
Avhere  they  are  often  slaughtered.  The  tigers  have  even 
been  known. to  live  for  a  time  in  trees,  where,  apparently. 


272  Mr.  Y.  B.  Sirason  on 

they  feed  on  turtles^  small   crocodiles^   and    dead    animals 
which  come  floating  near  the  trees. 

Scattered  among  these  plains  are  pools  of  deep  water, 
extending  over  areas  of  from  ten  to  forty  acres^  abounding 
in  wild  fowl  and  crocodiles^  surrounded  by  very  high  grass 
with  stalks  like  thin  bamboo.  A  few  stumpy  trees,  hidgels 
and  others,  grow  in  this  grass,  the  pools  are  covered  with 
beautiful  lotus  plants,  and  here  the  Pink-headed  Duck  re- 
sorts at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

I  believe  I  met  with  this  Duck  long  ago,  about  1849,  but 
at  that  time  I  took  no  notes.  Those  were  the  days  when 
many  would-be  ornithologists  could  get  no  books  to  study. 
Jerdon  and  Hume  were  unknown.  Esacus  I'ecrirvrrostris  was 
called  by  many  of  us  the  Goggle-eyed  Plover,  and  Pericro- 
cotus  speciosus  the  Flame-coloured  Shrike.  Yet  we  sought 
rare  and  beautiful  birds  keenly  and  obtained  them  more 
easily  when  youth  was  vigorous,  official  work  lighter,  and 
examinations  unknown,  than  now.  In  1862,  and  for  some 
time  afterwards,  I  made  this  bird  a  subject  of  careful 
observation. 

One  morning  in  May,  very  early,  I  was  standing,  almost 
without  clothes,  at  the  door  of  a  travelling  bungalow  on  the 
trunk-road  in  Purneah,  watching  two  Florikens  with  a  bino- 
cular as  they  wheeled  about  in  the  sky,  when  about  a  dozen 
dark  Ducks,  with  lovely,  rosy,  light-coloured  feathers  under 
their  wings,  alighted  in  a  tank  close  by.  I  immediately  got 
my  gun,  and  fortunately  was  able  to  get  close  and  bag  two. 
After  this  I  was  always  on  the  look  out  and  shot  numbers 
of  them  before  I  left  that  part  of  Bengal. 

Dr.  Jerdon  visited  me  while  I  was  stationed  at  Purneah,  and 
told  me  he  had  never  seen  the  bird  alive,  and  that  the  picture 
in  liis  illustrations  was  drawn  from  a  dried  skin.  I  promised 
to  show  him  and  get  him  some  specimens,  and  I  did  so  in 
this  wise.  We  were  both  at  a  shooting-party  given  by  that 
hospitable  planter  and  owner  of  Kolassy,  so  well  known  and 
liked  in  Pvirneah,  and  were  shooting  with  a  long  line  of 
elephants,  looking  for  that  wonderful  tiger  which  is  always 
there  w)\en  no  one  has  a  gun  or  wants  him,  and  always 


the  Pink-headed  Duck.  373 

somewhere  else  when  made  an  object  of  special  pursuit.  In 
default  of  this  tiger  we  shot  buffaloes^  deer^  Florikenj  and 
Partridges^  and  shouted  at  hogs^  which  were  reserved  for  the 
spear.  Whilst  going  on  I  marked  a  small  party  of  Pink- 
headed  Ducks  into  one  of  the  pools  I  liaA^e  described^  and 
immediately  told  Jerdon  that  if  he  would  leave  the  party  and 
come  with  me  I  thought  I  could  get  a  nice  shot  at  his 
long-coveted  birds.     So  we  took  four  elephants  and  started. 

Of  course^  with  noisy  splashing  animals^  any  approach  to 
Ducks  was  impossible;  on  the  other  hand  the  pool  was  full 
of  huge  crocodiles.  We  could  see  them  with  our  glasses. 
However  I  agreed  to  go  on  foot^  the  elephants  to  come  to 
me  the  moment  the  shots  were  fired.  I  passed  through  the 
tall  bamboo-grass  in  water  deepening  till  it  was  nearly  up 
to  my  waist  as  1  came  to  the  edge,  and  found  myself  about 
twenty  yards  from  ten  or  a  dozen  of  the  Ducks.  They  were 
not  sitting  close  together,  so  I  shot  the  finest  with  one  barrel 
and  another  as  they  rose,  and  I  made  off  to  the  elephants 
as  hard  as  I  could. 

Once  safe  on  Behemoth  I  surveyed  with  Jerdon  the  sight, 
familiar  to  every  Indian  ornithologist,  but  always  enjoyable 
and  never  to  be  forgotten,  of  the  wonderful  variety  of  bird- 
life  to  be  seen  in  a  spot  like  this.  The  crocodiles  just  slowly 
sank,  with  scarcely  a  ripple  on  the  water.  Various  Rails  ran 
into  the  grass  where  the  Purple  Gallinules,  which  Jerdon 
called  Purple  Coots,  were  making  most  wonderful  noises. 
Jacanas  ran  round  and  about  on  the  broad  lotus-leaves. 
The  lovely  Hydrophasianus  chirurgus  flew  mewing  round  the 
pool.  Two  huge  and  graceful  Sayrus  Cranes  rose  from  the 
shallow  end,  where  they  had  been  in  company  with  a  large 
flock  of  clumsy  Pelicans,  who  flopped  in  long  line  slowly 
away,  perhaps  towards  the  district  of  Rajshahye,  where  I 
knew  of  a  favourite  roosting-place.  A  flock  of  Pigmy 
Cotton-Teal  flew  rapidly  round,  uttering  their  peculiar  notes. 
A  large  flock  of  Whistling  Teal  made  off"  to  the  next  pool. 
The  Long-necked  Snake-birds,  with  their  beautiful  scapular 
plumes,  dropped  quietly  ofl"  the  branches  of  the  hidgel  trees, 
dived,  came  up  at  a  distance,  shook  themselves,  and  flew  off 


274         Mr.  F.  B.  Simson  on  the  Pink-headed  Duck. 

or  dived  again.  Several  bright  Herons,  who  had  been  fish- 
ing even  in  the  daytime  iu  these  quiet  waters,  disappeared 
with  many  a  wdk-ivdk.  Common  Herons  rose  likewise,  and 
Egrets  and  Paddy-birds.  Little  Cormorants  were  to  be  seen 
in  numbers.  All  the  various  kinds  of  Ducks  so  common 
here  in  February  and  March,  such  as  Pintails,  Blue-winged 
Teal,  White- eyed  and  Grey  Ducks,  with  Gadwall,  Shovellers, 
and  Common  Teal,  were  absent  now.  But  the  air  seemed 
alive  nevertheless  with  wading  and  swimming  birds.  After 
having  discussed  all  the  species  we  saw,  we  examined  the 
two  Pink-headed  Ducks  we  had  picked  up  with  the  aid  of 
the  elephants.  Jerdon  was  delighted  with  them,  and  said 
that  the  pink  of  the  head  was  far  more  beautiful  than  in  dried 
specimens.  He  considered  them  very  valuable.  We  then 
made  off  to  rejoin  the  shooting-party,  and  in  going  to  them 
put  up  seven  Bitterns,  which  to  me  were  more  uncommon 
birds  than  the  Ducks. 

The  Ducky's  plumage  is  fully  described  by  Jerdon  and 
Hume  ;  I  need  only  here  refer  to  its  habits.  It  lives  in 
this  country  all  the  year  round,  generally  it  is  found  in  small 
flocks  of  from  eight  to  twelve;  probably  these  are  the  old 
birds  and  the  young  ones  of  the  year.  It  never  associates, 
so  far  as  I  saw,  with  other  Ducks,  nor  gets  into  large  flocks. 
In  the  breeding-season  it  pairs  and  nests  in  short  grass  on 
dry  land  at  some  distance  from  the  pools.  I  have  seen  the 
eggs,  but  cannot  now  describe  them.  I  have  had  the  young 
ones  brought  to  me,  and  should  think  they  could  be  easily 
domesticated,  for  the  bird  seems  exactly  like  the  Mallard, 
except  in  size  and  plumage.  I  have  never  met  with  the  bird 
far  from  these  plains,  and  I  remarked  its  absence  when 
shooting  at  the  foot  of  the  Himalaya  lowest  ranges  in  the 
north  of  Purneah.  The  taste  of  this  Duck  when  cooked  is 
inferior;  indeed  I  prefer  every  other  Duck  save  the  Shoveller 
to  it,  and  consider  it  worse  than  the  Brahminy  Duck  or  the 
Whistling  Teal. 

There  are  many  reasons  why  the  Pink -headed  Duck  is  not 
well  known.  One  I  have  just  given,  viz.  that  it  is  poor 
on  the  tabic  ;    another  is  that  it   is  never  very  numerous 


On  the  Species  of  Pernis  inhabiting  Japan.  275 

nor  goes  in  flocks ;  the  native  sliikarrie  can  never  kill  a  lot 
at  one  shot^  nor  net  a  large  number.  The  sahib  can  never 
get  many  shots  in  one  day,  nor  is  his  prize  when  gained  so 
valuable  to  him  as  the  other  Ducks,  which  are  so  much  more 
numerous  and  so  much  better  to  eat.  It  does  not  associate 
much  with  other  Ducks,  but  keeps  rather  to  itself,  and  seldom 
is  seen  flying  to  the  feeding-ground  before  sunset,  but  stays 
all  day  in  the  pools,  where  it  lives  till  disturbed.  But  if  a 
person  residing  in  Purneah,  Bhangulpore,  or  Maldah,  chooses 
to  make  the  bird  an  object  of  special  pursuit  he  should  have 
no  difficulty  in  procuring  as  many  as  would  be  necessary. 


XXXII. —  On  the  Species  of  the  Genus  Pernis  inhabiting 
Japan.     By  J.  H.  Gurney. 

In  'The  Ibis  '  for  1880,  pp.  196,  197,  I  noticed  the  discre- 
pancy in  the  views  of  various  ornithologists  as  to  whether 
the  species  of  Pernis  which  OQCurs,  though  very  rarely,  in 
Japan  is  P.  apivorus  or  P.  ptilorhynchus. 

On  the  4th  September,  1882,  a  specimen  of  a  Pernis  was 
obtained  by  Mr.  P.  L.  Jouy  at  Chiusenji,  about  90  miles 
north  of  Yokohama,  at  an  elevation  of  4375  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  sea. 

This  specimen,  which  was  ascertained  by  the  collector  to 
be  a  male,  was  added  to  the  United  States  National  Museum, 
and  was  recorded  by  Mr.  Ridgway  in  the  '  Proceedings '  of 
that  Institution  for  1883,  p.  311,  under  the  name  of  Pernis 
ptilorhynchus ;  it  has  subsequently  been  referred  to  by  Mr. 
Blakiston  in  his  'Amended  List  of  the  Birds  of  Japan,"* 
p.  67,  as  "  Pernis  apivorus  ?  " 

Mr.  Ridgway,  who  informs  me  that  he  feels  ''  undecided 
as  to  which  species  it  really  is,^^  has  been  so  good  as  to  send 
me  a  description  of  this  specimen,  which  I  here  transcribe : — 

"  Above,  superficially,  nearly  uniform  dark  brown,  with  a 
purplish  gloss ;  the  feathers  white  at  the  base.  Entire  side 
of  head,  including  forehead  and  malar  region,  uniform  ash- 
grey.     Occipital  and  nuchal  feathers  abruptly  white  at  base 


276  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  on  the 

(this  showing  wherever  feathers  are  disarranged),  the  terrniual 
portion  bhick,  edged  with  hair-brow-n.  Chin  and  throat 
white,  the  former  tinged  with  ash-grey,  the  latter  having  the 
feathers  tipped  Avith  light  fawn-colour.  Along  each  side  of 
the  throat  a  very  distinct  deep  black  stripe,  anteriorly  fading 
gradually  into  the  ash-grey  of  the  malar  region  (but  distinct 
till  within  an  inch  of  the  base  of  the  mandible),  posteriorly 
connected  with  a  cluster  of  deep  black  guttate  spots  across 
the  upper  part  of  the  jugulum,  and  which,  medially,  extend 
into  the  lower  portion  of  the  throat.  Rest  of  lower  parts, 
with  the  ground-colour,  white ;  but  the  whole  breast  marked 
with  large  hair-brown  sjjots,  having  broad  black  shaft-streaks, 
the  belly  and  thighs  broadly  barred  with  lighter  brown,  the 
interspaces  being  more  buffy,  especially  on  the  tibiae.  The 
tail  is  crossed  (beyond  the  coverts)  by  three  black  and  three 
dull-grey  bands,  as  follows  : — first,  a  narrow  terminal  band 
of  light  brownish  grey,  about  '25  of  an  inch  wide ;  next  a 
black  band  1'25  inch  wide;  then  a  grey  band  (crossed  by 
five  rather  indistinct  black  bars)  2*25  inches  broad  ;  the  next 
band  black  and  I '25  inch  broad;  the  following  one  dull 
grey  (crossed  by  four  blackish  bars)  1  inch  broad. 

''The  axillaries  are  brown,  broadly  barred  with  white,  the 
brown  spaces  being  "60  to  "80  of  an  inch  wide,  and  the  white 
•35  to  "30  of  an  inch.  There  is  apparently  no  crest,  although 
the  feathers  of  the  occiput  and  nape  are  rather  lengthened 
and  somewhat  lanceolate. 

"The  primaries  and  rectrices  are  moulting,  but  the 
measurements  are  given  for  what  they  are  worth  : — wing 
16"50  inches,  tail  9"50,  culmen  (including  cere)  1'45,  tarsus 
2-10,  middle  toe  (without  claw)  2." 

On  the  whole,  this  description  appears  to  me  to  point  to 
P.  apivorus  rather  than  to  P.  ptUorliijnchvs,  although  the 
"  very  distinct  deep  black  stripe  along  the  side  of  the  throat, 
posteriorly  connected  with  a  cluster  of  deej)  black  guttate 
spots  across  the  upper  part  of  the  jugulum,"  is,  it  must  be 
admitted,  especially  when  existing  in  an  adult  bird,  much 
more  like  P.  ptilorhynchus.  I  have  seen  such  markings  in 
P.   apivorus,    but   only,  so   far  as  I   recollect,  in   immature 


Species  of  Pernis  inhabiting  Japan.  277 

specimens^  and  then  not  so  distinct  or  so  dark  as  they  usually 
are  in  P.  ptilorhynchus ,  in  which  latter  species  they  also  occur 
more  frequently  than  in  P.  apivorus ;  on  the  other  hand^  the 
description  of  the  axillaries  in  the  Japanese  bird  is^  if  I 
mistake  not^  conclusive  as  to  its  being  an  example  (though 
somewhat  abnormal  as  regards  the  dark  markings  on  the 
throat)  of  P.  apivorus. 

This  specimen^  judging  from  the  grey  upon  the  head  and 
from  the  character  of  the  markings  on  the  tail^  is^  I  believe, 
adult ;  but  the  circumstance  of  the  grey  on  the  crown  of  the 
head  being  limited  to  the  forehead  probably  indicates  its 
having  only  recently  attained  the  adult  dress,  and  that  not 
quite  completely. 

So  far  as  I  have  observed,  the  adults  of  P.  apivorus  always 
have  the  axillaries  distinctly  and  broadly  banded  with  alter- 
nate bars  of  brown  and  white,  though  in  birds  of  the  year 
the  white  bars  are  sometimes  absent. 

In  P.  ptilorhynchus,  on  the  contrary,  although  some  young 
birds  have  the  axillaries  brown  banded  with  white,  and  others 
have  them  brown  with  a  spot  or  two  of  white  towards  the 
end  of  the  feathers,  the  adult  grey-headed  birds  have  always, 
so  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain,  the  axillaries  either 
entirely  brown  without  bands  or  else  banded  with  pale  brown 
on  a  darker  ground,  but  not  with  white,  as  in  the  adults  of 
P.  apivorus;  believing  this  distinction  to  be  a  constant  one 
as  regards  the  adult  birds,  I  would  refer  the  specimen  under 
consideration  to  P.  apivorus  and  not  to  P.  ptilorhynchus. 

I  may  add  that  although  the  fact  of  this  example  being 
crestless  is  in  favour  of  identifying  it  with  P.  apivorus,  which 
always  is  so,  it  does  not  in  itself  prove  this  identification  to  be 
correct,  as  F .  ptilorhynchus  is  also  sometimes  crestless,  although 
such  specimens  are  very  much  in  the  minority,  and  must  be 
regarded  as  exhibiting  an  exceptional  variation  from  the 
normal  form. 


278  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

XXXIII. — On  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in 
European  Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. — Part  I.  Rapaces 
Diurnae.     By  M.  Menzbier. 

In  tlie  beginning  of  the  year  1882 1  published  in  Russian  the 
first  part  of  my  work  entitled  '  Ornithological  Geography  of 
European  Russia/  wherein  I  described  the  distribution  of  the 
Birds  of  Prey  throughout  European  Russia.  I  wished  to 
demonstrate  clearly  the  limits  of  the  distribution  of  the  dif- 
ferent species  of  birds  in  that  country^  and  to  show  the  con- 
nexion between  the  ornithological  fauna  of  European  Russia 
and  that  of  the  Palsearctic  Region.  My  preliminary  notes  on 
that  subject  I  have  already  given  in  the  beginning  of  my 
work,  and  also  in  my  article  entitled  "  Revue  comparative 
de  la  faune  ornithologique  des  gouvernements  de  Moscou  et 
de  Toula/'  but  I  will  give  a  more  detailed  account  in  the 
concluding  chapters  of  my  '  Ornithological  Geography.'' 

I  wish  here  to  acknowledge  my  great  obligations  to  Mr. 
Severtzov,  who  kindly  placed  at  my  disposal  his  entire  orni- 
thological collection  and  manuscripts  on  these  subjects.  I 
also  take  this  opportunity  of  offering  my  sincere  thanks  to 
others  of  my  fellow- labourers  in  ornithological  science,  espe- 
cially Mr.  Pleske,  Mr.  Alferaki,  and  Mr.  Djakov,  to  whom  I 
am  greatly  indebted. 

Neophron  percnopterus. 

The  Egyptian  Vulture  is  a  very  rare  and  local  bird  in 
Russia.  It  breeds  in  the  Crimea,  where  a  few  birds  remain 
throughout  the  winter,  and  in  the  Government  of  Podolsk  (in 
the  district  of  Magilev)  ;  but  it  only  occasionally  visits  the 
Government  of  Voronesh  and  the  steppes  of  the  Caspian  Sea, 
a  very  few  straying  as  far  north  as  Sarepta  and  Orenburg. 

VULTUR  MONACHUS. 

The  Black  Vulture  is  rare  in  Russia,  where  it  breeds  in 
the  south-eastern  and  southern  parts  of  the  country,  and  is 
an  accidental  visitor  to  the  western  part. 

It  breeds  in  the  southern  and  south-western  Ural  ranges, 
between  the  rivers  Sakmara  and  Ik,  and  is  sedentary  in  the 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  279 

Crimea.  Perhaps  it  is  an  accidental  visitor  to  the  Govern- 
ment of  Voronesh ;  occasionally  it  is  found  in  Bessarabia 
and  throughout  Western  Russia  south  of  the  Baltic  (Poland, 
Courland,  Livonia). 

Gyps  fulvus. 

The  breeding-range  of  the  Griffon  Vulture  in  Russia  may 
be  said  to  extend  over  the  Government  of  Podolsk,  Bessarabia, 
the  Crimea,  and  the  Kaslinsky  Ural.  The  bird  is  very 
common  and  sedentary  in  the  Crimea,  but  less  common  and 
partially  migratory  in  the  rest  of  its  range.  Occasionally 
it  is  found  in  the  south-west  and  south  of  Russia.  Mr. 
Taczanovsky  records  the  Griffon  Vulture  as  very  rare,  being 
even  more  rare  than  the  Black  Vulture  in  Poland.  Twice  it 
has  been  observed  in  the  Government  of  Kiev,  in  the  district 
of  Uman.  In  the  Governments  of  Ekaterinoslav,  Kharkov, 
and  Voronesh  the  bird  is  a  more  regular  visitor ;  but  it  has 
only  once  been  found  near  Sarepta.  East  of  the  Volga  the 
Griffon  Vultm-e  is  more  common  in  the  Obschy-Syrt.  In 
the  Ural  Mountains  it  strays  as  far  north  as  Pavda. 

Pallas  did  not  find  the  Griffon  and  Black  Vultures  in  the 
Ural  Mountains,  nor  according  to  Eversmann  were  they 
found  either  in  the  Ural  Mountains  or  their  branches 
during  the  ten  years  from  1820  to  1830.  Since  the  latter 
year  these  Vultures  have  been  found  in  the  above-mentioned 
countries,  having  become  more  and  more  common  of  late 
years,  and  since  1850  both  species  have  been  generally 
distributed  in  the  southern  Ural  Mountains.  Mr.  Pleske 
informs  me  that  Vultur  monachus  was  not  uncommon  there 
during  the  years  from  1869  to  1873.  Gyps  fulvus  was  ob- 
served by  this  gentleman  several  times  during  those  years  at 
Orenburg  and  about  the  river  Danghuz.  Mr.  Sabaneev^s 
observations  on  the  breeding  of  the  Griffon  Vulture  in  the 
Kaslinsky  Ural  were  made  also  after  the  year  1865. 

Hypotriorchis  subbuteo. 

The  Hobby  is  a  well-known  breeding  bird  in  all  the  wooded 
districts  of  Russia  south  of  lat.  65°,  but  in  Finland  its  northern 
breeding-limit  is  about  lat.  64°. 


280  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

It  is  very  common  in  all  tlie  northern  and  central  portions 
of  the  country,  more  rare  about  the  northern  limits  of  the 
southern  steppes,  and  only  local  in  the  last-mentioned  locality. 
In  the  valley  of  the  Lower  Volga  it  breeds  as  far  south  as  the 
mouth  o£  that  river,  but  it  is  not  known  to  Avinter  in  any  part 
of  Russia. 

Falco  peregrinus. 

The  Peregrine  Falcon  is  so  variable  in  its  dimensions  and 
shades  of  colour  that  it  is  very  difficult  to  distinguish  the 
types  in  their  variations.  An  attempt  was  made  by  Pastor 
Chr.  L.  Brehm,  who  established  four  types  of  Falco  pere- 
grinus— F.  p.  abiei'mus,  F.  p.  cornicum,  F.  p.  griseiventris, 
F.  p.  leucogenys  ;  but  Brehm's  types  of  the  Peregrine  Falcon 
have  not  been  accepted  in  science.  In  the  course  of  several 
years  I  have  examined  nearly  300  specimens  of  the  Pere- 
grine Falcon  from  different  parts  of  the  Old  World,  and, 
judging  from  these,  I  should  say  that  in  the  Northern  Palae- 
arctic  Region  we  have  two  specifically  distinct  forms  of  the 
Peregrine  Falcon,  these  forms  being  very  distinct  from 
each  other  in  their  different  ages,  and  having  geograjihical 
ranges,  comparatively,  very  clearly  defined :  these  are  Falco 
peregrinus  and  F.  leucogenys.  I  am  convinced  also  that 
the  specimens  of  F.  peregrinus  from  Western  Europe  are  very 
variable  in  character,  and  that  specimens  of  this  bird  from 
Russia  and  Northern  Asia  are  more  constant.  So  far  as  I 
can  judge  from  the  examples  which  I  have  examined,  there 
are  three  races  of  the  Peregrine  Falcon  existing  on  the  con- 
tinent of  Europe  and  the  northern  half  of  Asia — F.  p.  grisei- 
ventris, F.  p.  cornicum,  and  F.  p.  brevirostris,  the  first  two  of 
which  were  described  thirty  years  ago  by  Brehm,  and  the 
last-mentioned  by  me  two  years  ago. 

I  now  propose  briefly  to  describe  the  principal  characters 
of  plumagewhich  I  have  found  in  the  three  above-mentioned 
races  of  F.  peregrinus. 

(A)   Falco  peregrinus  griseiventris. 
Adult  male.  Above  delicate  bluish  grey,  only  indistinctly 
barred  Avith  dark  grey  on  the  rump  and  with  darker-coloured 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  281 

headj  neck,  and  the  upper  part  of  the  mantle;  forehead 
whitish  ;  cheeks,  ear-coverts,  and  moustaches  blackish  grey ; 
the  chin  and  throat  spotless  white,  with  a  tinge  of  pale  yellow 
on  the  throat ;  the  breast  and  the  abdomen  more  or  less 
yellow  with  a  tinge  of  grey,  more  darkly  developed  on  the 
flanks,  and  paler  on  the  under  tail-coverts,  axillaries,  and 
under  wing- coverts ;  the  spots,  reduced  to  mere  triangular 
dots,  exist  only  here  and  there  on  the  middle  portion  of 
the  under  breast,  abdomen,  and  thigh-coverts ;  on  the  sides, 
axillaries,  and  under  wing-coverts  they  are  replaced  by  narrow 
arrow-head  bars ;  under  tail-coverts  spotless,  or  only  with 
faint  traces  of  bars.  The  very  adult  bird  has  nearly  the 
whole  under  surface  of  the  body  spotless,  with  a  deeply  deve- 
loped tinge  of  grey. 

Adult  female.  Similar  to  the  adult  male,  but  more  deeply 
coloured,  and  with  more  developed  spots  and  bars  on  the 
under  surface  of  the  body. 

Young  male.  Above  dark  brown,  with  the  exception  of  the 
head,  which  is  paler ;  forehead  whitish ;  crown  of  head  brown 
tinged  with  pale  rufous ;  a  broad  streak  from  the  hind  part 
of  the  eye  to  the  nape,  and  the  whole  of  the  latter  whitish 
with  a  few  dark  brown  spots ;  all  the  feathers  of  the  back 
dark  brown,  margined  with  pale  rufous  ;  cheeks,  ear-coverts, 
and  moustaches  dark  brown;  under  surface  of  the  body 
whitish,  with  longitudinal  spots  of  brown  on  the  throat, 
breast,  abdomen,  flanks,  and  thighs,  and  wdth  bars  on  the 
under  tail-coverts. 

Young  female.  Similar  to  the  young  male,  but  much  larger. 

According  to  Pastor  Chr.  Brehm  Falco  peregrinus  grisei- 
ventris  breeds  throughout  Scandinavia  (probably  occasionally 
in  the  plains  and  not  in  the  mountains,  where  it  is  replaced 
by  a  small  variety  of  F.  p.  cornicum),  and  is  found  in  Northern 
Germany  on  migration.  It  does  not  breed  in  Central  Russia, 
but  visits  that  country  during  the  spring  and  autumn.  A 
very  typical  specimen  of  that  bird  from  Novaja  Zemlja  is 
in  the  Museum  of  Vienna.  Two  specimens,  male  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Ussuri  river  and  male  from  Kultuk,  were  pre- 
sented by  Messrs.  Dybovsky  and  Gadlevsky  to  the  Museum 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  V 


28.2  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  Europemi 

of  Warsaw.  The  same  variety  of  the  Peregrine  Falcon  was 
obtained  by  Colonel  Prejevalsky  in  the  country  about  the 
river  Ussuri ;  but  in  IMandshuria  it  is  replaced  by  the  other 
variety,  which  is  nearly  as  dark  as  Falco  melanogenys.  It  is 
the  same  race,  which,  according  to  Messrs.  Middendorff, 
Finsch,  and  Russov,  breeds  on  the  ground  in  the  tundra 
and  in  the  marshes  of  the  wooded  country  of  Livonia. 
Probably  F.  p.  griseiventris  breeds  throughout  the  whole 
tundra  and  wooded  country  ("  forest ")  from  Greenland  to 
the  Amoor  country,  migrating  during  the  winter  more  south- 
wards, as  far  as  the  Antilles,  Southern  Europe,  Egypt,  and 
India.  Specimens  of  this  race  from  Greenland,  the  An- 
tilles, Southern  Europe,  and  India  are  now  preserved  in 
the  British  Museum.  A  specimen  of  this  race,  in  change 
from  the  first  to  the  second  yearns  plumage,  obtained  (in 
winter)  near  Lake  Menzaleh,  Egypt,  is  now  preserved  in  the 
Museum  of  Vienna.  Two  specimens  of  it,  obtained,  in  the 
Crimea,  are  now  in  the  Museum  of  Moscow ;  a  third  skin 
(  ?  juv.)  of  that  race  was  obtained  j^  XL  in  the  Gardens  of 
Tashkent,  and  a  fourth  ( (^,  ^j  I.)  in  Ferghana  (coll.  of  Mr. 

Severtzov) . 

Respecting  the  distribution  of  this  bird  in  European  Russia 
I  can  state  as  follows: — Novaja  Zemlja;  according  to  Mr. 
Hoffmann,  an  adult  female  and  young  ones  were  found  near 
lat.  68° ;  by  Messrs.  Seebohm  and  Harvie-Brown  the  Pere- 
grine Falcon  was  observed  at  Ust-Zylma,  on  the  banks  of  the 
river  Zylma,  and  at  Stanovaja-Lachta.  It  is  not  uncommon 
breeding  near  Archangel,  and  more  rare  in  Lapland.  More 
to  the  south  it  is  found  in  Finland,  in  the  Government  of  St. 
Petersburg,  Esthonia,  and  Livonia ;  but '  I  do  not  know 
whether  this  race  breeds  in  the  Government  of  Tver,  and  I 
cannot  find  anything  recorded  of  it  in  the  Governments  of 
Olonetz  and  Vologda.  More  to  the  east  it  breeds  in  the 
Governments  of  Wjatka  and  Perm. 

During  the  autumn,  winter,  and  spring  F.  p.  griseiventris 
visits  the  Governments  of  Central  and  Southern  Russia,  but 
young  are  more  commonly  found  than  adults. 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  283 

(B)  Falco  peregrinus  cornicum. 

Adult  male.  Above  very  dark ;  the  head,  neck,  upper  part 
of  the  mantle,  cheeks,  ear-coverts,  and  moustaches  slate- 
black  ;  the  rest  of  the  upper  surface  slate-blue,  barred  with 
dusky  slate-colour ;  under  surface  of  the  body  very  rufous, 
with  prevalent  grey  tint  on  the  flanks,  abdomen,  and  thighs. 
Chin  spotless;  throat  with  longitudinal  spots  of  black; 
breast,  abdomen,  flanks,  and  thighs  crossed  with  blackish 
bars,  taking  the  form  of  spots  in  the  centre  of  the  breast ; 
under  wing-coverts  blackish  grey,  spotted  with  ferruginous 
buff.  With  the  advance  of  age  the  rufous  colour  on  the 
under  surface  of  the  body  becomes  more  intense,  and  neither 
spots  nor  bars  disappear,  though  they  decrease. 

Adult  female .  Similar  to  the  adult  male,  but  more  deeply 
coloured,  and  with  more  developed  spots  and  bars  on  the 
under  surface  of  the  body. 

Young  male.  Above  blackish  brown,  with  a  wash  of  grey  ; 
crown  of  head  brown,  tinged  with  rufous  ;  nape  blackish 
brown,  mottled  with  rufous  ;  cheeks,  ear-coverts,  and  mous- 
taches black ;  under  surface  of  the  body  deep  rufous ;  chin 
with  narrow  indistinct  shaft-stripes;  throat,  breast,  and 
abdomen  with  large  longitudinal  spots  of  black-brown ; 
flanks  and  thighs  with  transverse  spots ;  under  tail-coverts 
barred. 

Young  female.  Similar  to  the  young  male,  but  much  larger. 
According  to  Pastor  Chr.  'Brehm  Falco  peregrinus  cornicum 
breeds  throughout  the  central  portion  of  Europe,  straying 
during  winter  as  far  south  as  Egypt.  I  have  seen  many 
specimens  of  this  race  obtained  from  the  mountain-country 
of  Germany,  Switzerland,  Northern  Italy,  and  Eastern 
France. 

In  European  Russia  it  breeds  in  the  Ural  Mountains,  in 
the  Governments  of  Perm  and  Orenburg,  on  the  rocks  on  the 
rivers  Belaja,  Kama,  and  the  Middle  Volga,  and  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Kazan  and  Simbirsk.  More  west  and  south  it  is 
only  an  accidental  visitor  during  autumn  and  winter. 

Examples  of  F.  p.  cornicum  from  the  Ural  are  much  darker 

y2 


284  M.  Menzbior  on  the  Birds  of  European 

than  those  from  Central  and  Western  Europe,  and  nearly  as 
dark  as  Faico  atriceps  from  North-western  India. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  several  specimens  of  the 
Peregrine  Falcon  from  Scandinavia,  preserved  in  European 
Museums,  I  am  convinced  now  that  F.  p.  abietinus  is  only  a 
small  variety  of  F.  p.  cornicimi,  replacing  it  in  the  mountain- 
country  of  Sweden  and  Norway. 

(C)   Falco  peregrinus  brevirostris. 

This  race  of  tlie  Peregrine  Falcon  generally  is  larger  than 
the  others,  in  comparison  with  which  it  has  a  shorter  and 
larger  bill. 

Adult  male.  The  colour  of  the  upper  part  of  F.  p.  brevi- 
rostris is  intermediate  between  that  of  F.  ]).  griseiveutris  and 
F.  p.  coi'nicum,  this  race  being  more  deeply  coloured  than  the 
former  and  more  clearly  than  the  latter. 

Above  bluish  grey,  with  darker-coloured  head,  which  is 
streaked  with  narrow  shaft-stripes  of  blackish  ash ;  back  and 
wing-coverts  barred  with  dark  grey ;  cheeks  and  moustaches 
blackish  grey,  the  former  clearer  than  the  latter;  under 
surface  of  the  body  M'hite,  tinged  with  rosy  yellow  on  the 
throat  and  breast,  and  with  delicate  grey  on  the  abdomen, 
flanks,  and  thighs ;  chin  spotless ;  throat  with  narrow  lon- 
gitudinal spots  of  black  ;  breast,  abdomen,  flanks,  and  thighs 
crossed  with  narrow  bars  of  blackish,  taking  the  form  of 
spots  in  the  centre  of  the  breast  and  abdomen ;  under  wing- 
coverts  blackish  grey  spotted  with  whitish.  With  the  advance 
of  age  the  white  colour  on  the  under  surface  of  the  body 
becomes  more  and  more  pure,  the  spots  and  bars  nearly  dis- 
appear, and  the  quite  adult  bird  has  nearly  the  whole  surface 
of  the  body  spotless,  only  with  a  faint  trace  of  grey. 

Adult  female.  Similar  to  the  adult  male,  but  much  lai^ger. 

Young  male.  Generally  similar  to  the  young  male  of  Falco 
peregrinus  cornicum,  but  not  so  deeply  coloured,  and  with  a 
whiter  nape. 

Young  female.  Similar  to  the  young  male. 

This  race  of  the  Peregrine  Falcon  is  resident  in  Central 
Russia,  where  it  breeds  in  the  large  woods  of  all  the  Govern- 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. 


285 


merits,  being  common  during  the  winter  in  toAvns.     More  to 
the  west   I  found  the  same  race   of  the   Peregrine  Falcon 
breeding  in  Poland,  in  the  eastern  parts  of  North  Germany, 
in  the  plains  of  the  Danube,  and  in  Lombardy.     But  in  the 
plains  of  Scandinavia,  in   Southern   Germany,    Lombardy, 
France,  the  British  Islands,  Spain,  and  the  other  parts  of 
Middle  and  Western  Europe  specimens  intermediate  between 
F.p.  cornicuni  and  F.p.  brevirostris  are  more  common,  which 
are  unknown  in  Russia.     East  of  European  Russia  this  race 
breeds  in  some  parts  of  Western  Asia.     During  the  winter  it 
is  found  as  far  east  as  China  and   as  far  south   as   Ceylon, 
India,  Arabia,  and  the  Crimea    (specimens  preserved  in  the 
British  Museum  and  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  H.  Seebohm). 
Concisely,  the  differences  between  the  three  above-men- 
tioned races  of  the  Pereo-fine  Falcon  are  as  follows  : — 


F.  p.  griseiventris. 

Above  delicate  bluish 
grey;  clieeks  and  mous- 
taches blackish  grey ; 
chin  and  throat  spotless 
white,  with  a  tinge  of 
pale  yellow  on  the 
throat ;  tlie  rest  of  the 
under  surface  of  the 
body  with  a  deeply  de- 
veloped tinge  of  grey, 
and  only  with  traces  of 
spots  on  the  naiddle  por- 
tions of  the  under  breast, 
abdomen,  and  thighs,  re- 
placed by  narrow  bars 
on  the  flanks,  axillaries, 
and  under  winff-coverts. 


F.  p.  cornicum. 
Above  very  dark ; 
cheeks  and  moustaches 
slate-black ;  under  sur- 
face of  the  body,  with 
the  exception  of  the 
chin,  very  rufous,  with 
a  prevalent  grey  tint  on 
the  flanks,  abdomen,  and 
tliiglis ;  chin  spotless, 
the  rest  of  the  under 
surface  very  spotted  and 
barred ;  under  wing- co- 
verts blackish  grey  spot- 
ted with  ferruginous 
buff. 


F.  p.  brevirostris. 
Above  bluish  grey ; 
clieelis  and  moustaches 
blackish  gre}^,  the  for- 
mer clearer  than  the 
latter ;  under  surface  of 
the  body  white,  tinged 
with  rosy  yellow  on  the 
throat  and  breast,  and 
with  very  delicate  grey 
on  the  abdomen,  flanks, 
and  thighs ;  with  the 
advance  of  age  the  spots 
and  bars  on  the  vmder 
surface  of  the  body 
nearly  disappear ;  under 
wing-coverts  blackish 
grey  spotted  with  whi- 
tish. 


Falco  leucogenys. 

In  its  colouring,  dimensions,  and  geographical  range  Falco 
leucogenys  is  intermediate  between  Falco  peregrinus  and  its 
more  southern  representatives,  Falco  barbarus,  F.feldeggii, 
F.  tanypterus ,  &c. 


286 


M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 


Concisely,    the  differences  between  Falco  peregrinus  and 
Falco  leucogenys  are  as  follows  :  — 


F.  peregrinus. 
"Very  massive ;  feathers  under- 
neath the  eye  dark,  confluent  with 
a  broad  uioustachial  baud  ;  pale 
patches  on  the  nape,  which  dis- 
appear with  the  advance  of  age; 
very  variable  in  shades  of  colour, 
but  more  clearly  coloured  speci- 
mens have  the  breast  and  abdo- 
men either  white  or  tinged  with 
grey. 


F.  leucogenys. 
Very  elegant ;  feathers  under- 
neath the  eye  unspotted  fulvous  or 
only  with  brownish-grey  traces, 
clearly  defined  from  a  narrow 
moustachial  band;  the  nape  mot- 
tled with  fulvous  during  its  whole 
life ;  very  constant  in  the  shades 
of  colour,  clear  bluish  grey  above, 
white  tinged  with  fulvous  on  the 
under  surface  of  the  body. 


The   following   is  a   more   detailed  description   of   Falco 
leucogenys  : — 

Adult  male.  Above  clear  bluish  grey,  only  indistinctly  barred 
with  darker  grey  and  with  paler-coloured  lower  back,  rump, 
and  upper  tail-coverts ;  the  forehead  whitish ;  the  nape 
mottled  with  fulvous ;  the  feathers  underneath  the  eye  un- 
spotted fulvous  or  only  with  brownish-grey  traces ;  a  narrow 
moustachial  band  dark  bluish  grey ;  tail  bluish  grey,  tinged 
with  brownish  and  barred  with  darker  grey  (seven  transverse 
bars);  quills  dark  brown,  externally  shaded  with  grey;  chin 
white ;  rest  of  the  under  surface  tinged  with  fulvous,  the 
throat  unspotted,  the  breast  and  abdomen  only  with  traces 
of  bluish-brown  spots,  inclining  to  narrow  bars  on  flanks  and 
under  tail-coverts ;  thighs  tinged  with  blue  and  mottled  with 
transverse  spots ;  under  wing-coverts  creamy  white  mottled 
with  brown ;  axillaries  white  barred  with  brown. 

Adult  female.  Similar  to  the  adult  male,  but  more  deeply 
coloured  above  and  more  spotted  on  its  under  surface.  The 
nape  mottled  with  fulvous,  as  in  the  adult  male. 

Young  male.  Above  brown ;  the  forehead  whitish ;  crown 
broAvnish  fulvous,  with  conspicuous  margins  of  fulvous ;  the 
nape  and  hind  neck  pale  rufous  mottled  with  brown ;  the 
back,  rump,  scapularies,  and  wing-coverts  brown  margined 
with  rufous,  the  upper  tail-coverts  brown  barred  with  rufous  ; 
tail  greyish  brown,  edged  and  barred  with  pale  rufous ;  quills 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  287 

dark  brown,  edged  and  spotted  on  the  inner  web  with  pale 
rufous ;  feathers  underneath  the  eye  unspotted  fulvous,  or 
only  with  brownish  traces  ;  a  narrow  moustachial  band  dark 
brown ;  chin  unspotted  fulvous  ;  rest  of  the  under  surface 
fulvous,  the  throat,  breast,  abdomen,  flanks,  and  thighs  with 
brown  streaks,  the  under  tail-coverts  irregularly  barred  with 
brownish ;  under  wing-coverts  brown,  broadly  margined  and 
spotted  with  clear  buff. 

Young  female.  Similar  to  the  young  male,  but  much  larger. 

After  the  first  moult  F.  leucogenys  takes  a  plumage  which 

differs  from  that  of  the  adult  in  being  more  spotted  oil  the 

under  surface  6f  the  body,  and  having  the  upper  tail-coverts 

rufous,  tinged  and  barred  with  greyish  blue. 

This  Falcon  breeds  probably  throughout  all  the  steppes, 
from  the  Middle  Danube  to  the  Altai  Mountains,  migrating 
during  the  winter  as  far  south  as  Egypt  and  India. 

I  do  not  know  whether  this  species  breeds  in  Lombardv,  but 
I  saw  ayoung  specimen,  obtained  in  Piedmont,  in  the  Museum 
of  Turin.  More  to  the  east  it  breeds  throughout  the  plains 
of  the  Danube  (from  which  I  know  of  two  specimens  in  the 
Museum  of  Vienna),  and  in  the  Dobrudscha  (a  specimen  in 
change  from  the  first  to  the  second  year's  plumage,  obtained 
in  the  Dobrudscha,  is  preserved  in  the  collection  of  Mr. 
Alleon),  in  Southern  Russia  (specimens  in  the  Zoological 
Museum  of  Moscow,  in  my  collection,  and  in  the  collection 
of  Mr.  Severtzov),  and  in  Western  Siberia  (the  Zoological 
Museum  of  Moscow  and  the  collection  of  Mr.  Severtzov). 

Some  specimens  of  this  species  remain  all  the  year  round 
in  their  breeding-quarters,  others  migrate  southwards  during 
the  winter.  In  the  Museum  of  Vienna  I  saw  some  speci- 
mens of  F.  leucogenys  from  Egypt,  obtained  during  the 
winter  near  Lake  Menzaleh.  A  specimen  obtained  at  Len- 
koran (Transcaucasia)  is  now  preserved  in  my  collection. 
Others,  obtained  at  Chimkent,  in  the  country  of  the 
Lower  Amou-Darya,  near  Issyk-kul,  and  in  Ferghana,  are 
to  be  seen  in  the  Zoological  INIuseura  of  Moscow  and  in 
the  collection  of  Mr.  Severtzov.  Two  young  specimens, 
from  Babylon   and   Northern  India,  I   saw  in  the   British 


288  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

Museum.  This  form  has  been  found  several  times  in  Northern 
Germany  and  Central  Russia^  but  is  there  very  rare  and 
occasional, 

HiEROFALCO  ISLANDUS. 

A  specimen  of  the  Iceland  Jer-Falcon  was  obtained  in 
April  1863  near  Dorpat. 

HiEROFALCO  GYRFALCO. 

The  Brown  Jer-Falcon  is  common  and  resident  only  about 
the  Varanger  Fiord^  near  the  coast  of  Murman  and  Lake 
Enare.  More  to  the  south  it  occasionally  breeds  iu  Lapland, 
but  is  only  a  rare  and  accidental  visitor  to  the  other  parts 
of  Russia_,  as  far  to  the  south-east  as  the  central  Governments, 
though  it  is  said  that  exceptional  cases  are  found  of  its  breed- 
ing on  the  rocks  of  the  Baltic  Sea  near  the  coast  of  Esthonia. 

Since  the  year  1860  a  specimen  of  this  bird  has  been 
obtained  in  the  district  of  Jamburg  (in  the  Government  of  St. 
Petersburg),  and  Mr.  Eussov  once  saw  this  bird  upon  the 
Neva  in  St.  Petersburg.  Several  times  the  Brown  Jer-Falcon 
has  been  foimd  in  the  Baltic  provinces  and  in  Poland ;  and 
according  to  Mr,  Djakov  it  is  very  possible  that  the  same 
species  was  observed  during  the  winter  in  the  Government 
of  Tver.  Once  or  twice  this  bird  has  been  found  during  the 
winter  season  in  the  Government  of  Tula,  and  once  at  the 
end  of  autumn  in  the  Government  of  Riazan. 

HiEROFALCO  URALENSIS. 

The  Ural  Jer-Falcon  is  a  veiy  interesting  intermediate 
race  between  the  Arctic  Jer-Falcon,  Brown  Jer-Falcon,  and 
Henderson^s  Jer-Falcon,  The  immature  examples  of  this 
race  in  their  first  plumage  are  intermediate  between  spe- 
cimens of  a  corresponding  age  of  Hierofalco  gyrfalco  and 
adult  Hierofalco  hendersoni ;  but  the  adult  is  very  light,  nearly 
white,  and  is  intermediate  between  the  grey  and  white 
arctic  race.  This  form  will  be  more  fully  described  iu 
Mr.  Severtzov's  and  my  monograph  of  the  Jer-Falcons, 

On  the  distribution  of  this  Falcon  in  Russia  we  have  the 
following  notes.     According  to  Mr.  Meves  the  Brown  Jer- 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  289 

Falcon  breeds  on  the  Kanin  peninsula,  and  I  think  that  the 
H.  gyrfalco  of  Mr.  Meves  is  really  H.  uralensis.  Mr.  Goebel 
informs  us  that  it  is  resident  near  Pinega.  Probably  it  is 
the  same  species  which  was  observed  several  times  on  Novaja 
Zemlja.  According  to  Hoffmann  the  Ural  Jer- Falcon  breeds 
near  Ust-Ussa  (lat.  66°).  On  the  authority  of  Mr.  Sabaneev 
it  is  found  in  the  districts  of  Krasnoutimsk  and  Ufa,  but  is 
no  longer  met  with  in  the  districts  of  Karslinsk  and  Kashtym, 
where  it  was  formerly  known.  According  to  Eversmann 
the  Ural  Falcon  used  to  breed  from  1850  to  1860  in  the 
mountains  near  the  Bclaja  river,  and  probably  breeds  there 
still.  Dr.  Finsch  met  with  a  specimen,  which  probably  was 
the  Ural  Jer- Falcon,  near  Perm.  During  the  winter  the 
bird  has  been  obtained  as  far  south  as  the  Government  of 
Orenburg  and  the  Obschy-Syrt,  and  as  far  west  as  the 
Governments  of  Vladimir  and  Orel. 

HiEKOFALCO  SAKER. 

The  Saker  Falcon  breeds  regularly  in  the  steppes  of 
Southern  Russia,  and  occasionally  in  the  southern  and 
eastern  portions  of  Middle  Russia  ;  but  it  is  a  rare  and  acci- 
dental visitor  to  the  central  portions  of  the  couutry,  and 
has  never  been  obtained  in  the  northern  Governments. 

According  to  Mr.  Sabaneev  it  is  fouud  in  the  districts  of 
Kamischlov  and  Shadrinsk.  In  the  branches  of  the  Ural  as 
well  as  in  the  steppes  near  them  it  is  not  uncommon.  In 
the  steppes  near  the  Ural  river,  the  Middle  and  Lower  Volga, 
this  bird  is  not  rare,  still  breeding  there  on  the  islands  of  the 
Volga  and  in  the  Sarpa  hills.  But  at  Astrakhan  the  Saker 
is  rare  and  probably  only  found  during  migration,  though 
more  to  the  south,  in  the  valleys  of  the  Terek  and  the  Kuban, 
it  is  said  by  Eogdanov  to  be  common.  It  breeds  and  is  not 
uncommon  in  the  Governments  of  Saratov,  Voronesh,  Khar- 
kov, Kiev,  and  Chernigov,  has  been  several  times  observed 
in  the  Government  of  Kazan  (probably  only  in  the  southern 
part  of  that  country)  and  Tula,  and  still  breeds  in  the 
Government  of  Orel ;  but  we  do  not  know  the  distribution 
of  this  bird  in  the  Governments  of  Riazari,  Tambov,  and 


290  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

Kursk.  It  was  formerly  a  commou  breeding  bird  in  the 
Government  of  Podolsk^  where  it  has  become  rare  during  the 
last  twenty-five  years ;  but  it  is  only  a  rare  and  accidental 
visitor  to  Litva,  and,  according  to  Mr.  Taczanovsky,  has 
never  been  obtained  in  Poland.  In  the  steppes  of  New 
Russia  and  in  the  Crimea  this  bird  is  rare,  being  resident 
there  in  the  mountains  and  on  the  southern  coast  of  the 
Crimea. 

Mr.  Seebohm,  on  the  authority  of  Mr,  Henke,  states 
that  the  Saker  Falcon  has  been  once  obtained  near  Arch- 
angel in  winter,  and  breeds  on  the  Kanin  peninsula.  But  this 
is  without  doubt  a  mistake ;  accoi"ding  to  Mr.  Meves  the 
Brown  Jer-Falcon'^  breeds  on  the  Kanin  peninsula,  and  it  is 
very  possible  that  Mr.  Henke  has  taken  the  young  specimen 
of  the  Brown  Jer-Falcon  for  the  Saker. 

LiTHOFALCO  jESALON. 

The  Merlin  breeds  regularly  throughout  the  northern,  and 
occasionally  in  the  central  portions  of  Russia ;  but  on  migra- 
tion and  during  the  winter  it  has  been  observed  in  the  whole 
southern  half  of  that  country. 

According  to  Mr.  Mela  it  breeds  in  all  parts  of  Lapland 
and  Finland,  from  the  Gulf  of  Finland  to  the  Varanger 
Fiord;  but  there  it  is  rare  southwards  from  lat.  62^°.  It  is 
more  common  near  the  Ladoga  Lake,  in  the  country  near 
the  Onega  Lake  and  on  the  Dvina,  and  was  fouudby  Messrs. 
Seebohm  and  Harvie-Brown  in  the  valley  of  the  Lower 
Pechora  (on  migration  it  is  there  very  common  near  Ust- 
Zylma,  lat.  65°  26') .  In  the  Ural  Mountains  at  present  we 
know  its  breeding-range  only  as  far  north  as  lat.  57°,  but 
without  doubt  it  will  be  found  there  still  further  north.  It 
breeds  in  the  district  of  Ekaterinburg  (in  the  Government  of 
Perm),  and  probably  also  in  the  Governments  of  Kazan  and 
Riazan.  It  breeds  and  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Vologda,  Jaroslav,  Vladimir,  Moscow,  Tver,  and 
Pskov,  and  rarely  in  the  Government  of  St.  Petersburg  and  in 

*  I  think  it  more  likely  that  the  lightly-coloured  eastern  rcpreseutative 
of  H.  yyrfalco — H,  uralensis — breed;  (jn  the  Kanin  peninsula. 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  391 

the  Baltic  provinces.  It  is  still  rarer  and  only  accidentally 
breeds  in  the  Governments  of  Grodno,  Chernigov,  Smolensk, 
and  Tula  (only  in  the  northern  part  of  the  last) . 

On  migration  the  Merlin  is  common  in  the  Baltic  provinces, 
in  Poland,  in  the  Governments  of  Podolsk  and  Kiev,  rare  in 
the  Governments  of  Kharkov  and  Voronesh,  more  common 
in  the  Governments  of  Simbirsk  and  ^Lstrakhan. 

During  the  winter  this  bird  has  been  seen  in  the  Baltic 
provinces  as  well  as  in  all  the  central  Governments  (in  the 
Governments  of  Jaroslav,  Vladimir,  Moscow,  Riazan,  Tula, 
and  Smolensk),  and  not  uncommonly  in  Southern  Russia. 
It  has  been  observed  in  winter  also  near  Astrakhan  and  in 
the  Crimea. 

Erythropus  vespertinus. 

The  Red-footed  Falcon  is  distributed  throughout  the 
whole  of  Russia  south  of  lat.  65";  but  is  only  an  accidental 
visitor  to  Finland.  In  the  northern  part  of  its  breeding- 
range  it  probably  has  become  more  common  during  the  last 
forty  or  fifty  years,  that  country  having  previously  been  too 
wooded  to  suit  it.  According  to  Mr.  Teploonchov  the  Red- 
footed  Falcon  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Ural  Mountains  as  far 
north  as  lat.  58^°,  and  probably  breeds  near  the  Obva  river. 
On  the  Ural  expedition  this  bird  was  observed  near  Perm ; 
according  to  Mr.  Lilljeborg  and  others  it  is  very  common  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Kargopol ;  but  its  northern  breeding- 
limit  from  Perm  to  Kargopol  is  unknown.  Mr.  Henke  re- 
cords it  as  breeding  in  a  colony  on  an  island  near  Kholmo- 
gory,  on  lofty  oaks,  and  it  is  still  common  near  the  Sego 
Lake  and  Lake  Onega ;  but  it  is  rare  on  the  north  coasts  of 
Lake  Ladoga,  only  very  few  straying  as  far  north-west  as 
Torneo  and  the  central  portions  of  Finland  (it  has  been 
more  common  since  the  year  1867).  It  is  one  of  the 
rarest  breeding  raptorial  birds  in  the  Baltic  provinces,  and 
is  much  scarcer  in  some  localities  of  those  provinces,  as 
Courland  and  the  Government  of  Vilna.  In  Central  Russia, 
as  far  east  as  the  Oka  river,  the  Red-footed  Falcon  has 
become  very  rare  during  the  last  few  years;  but  it  was  common 


292  M.  Meuzbier  on  the  Birds  of  Eurojjean 

there  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  the 
country  between  the  Oka  and  Volga,  and  is  very  common  in 
the  Governments  of  Samara,  Uta,  and  Orenburg.  After  1875- 
76  it  became  very  rare  in  some  portions  of  the  last-mentioned 
Government;  for  example  between  Orenburg  and  Orsk.  It 
is  rare  on  the  Lower  Volga  (Mr.  Henke  occasionally  found 
it  breeding  north  of  Astrakhan),  and  not  uncommon  in  the 
Government  of  Stavropol.  On  the  authority  of  Mr.  Severtzov 
this  bird  bred  commonly  near  the  Biting  river  (in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Voronesh)  from  the  year  1810  to  1850,  but  is  very 
rare  there  now.  I  saw  it  occasionally  in  the  district  of 
Ladonsk  (in  the  same  Government)  during  the  summer  of 
1880.  From  the  year  1830  to  1850  this  Falcon  was  very 
common  in  the  Government  of  Kharkov  and  in  the  steppes 
of  the  Black  Sea;  but  I  found  it  rare  in  that  country 
during  the  summer  of  1832,  though  it  is  still  a  common  local 
bird  in  the  Government  of  Kiev.  According  to  Messrs. 
Shatilov  and  Badde  this  bird  breeds  rarely  in  the  steppe  of 
Tamak,  in  the  Crimea. 

On  spring  and  autumn  migration  the  Red-footed  Falcon 
is  now  exceedingly  common  in  the  central  and  southern 
portions  of  Russia,  and  has,  I  think,  migrated  from  the  last- 
mentioned  countries  more  northwards  only  during  the  last 
forty  or  fifty  years. 

Cerchneis  cenchris. 

The  Lesser  Kestrel  breeds  only  in  the  steppes  of  Southern 
Russia.  According  to  Eversmann  it  is  not  rare  in  the  steppes 
of  the  southern  branches  of  the  Ural,  and  Mr.  Severtzov  has 
furnished  me  wath  some  very  interesting  notes  on  the  history 
of  that  bird  during  the  last  twenty-five  years  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Orenburg.  On  the  authority  of  Mr.  Severtzov,  the 
Lesser  Kestrel  was  rare  in  the  steppes  near  the  Upper  Ural 
river  in  the  year  1860,  and  at  the  same  time  the  Red-footed 
Falcon  was  very  common  there.  Fourteen  years  after,  in 
1874,  the  bird  became  more  common  in  the  above-mentioned 
country,  though  generally  it  was  not  very  numerous,  and  in 
that  year  the  Red-footed  Falcon  was  as  common  as  before. 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  293 

Three  years  after,  in  1877,  the  Red-footed  Falcon  became 
very  rare  in  some  parts  of  the  steppes  of  Orenburg,  and  the 
Lesser  Kestrel  became  exceedingly  common;  thousands  of 
the  latter  species  were  found  by  Mr.  Scvertzov  upon  the 
telegraph-wires  on  the  wayside  between  Orenburg  and  Orsk. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  some  connexion  exists  between  the 
numbers  of  these  species ;  but  we  do  not  know  whether  the 
Lesser  Kestrel  has  become  more  common  since  the  migra- 
tion of  the  Red-footed  Falcon  into  the  steppes  of  Orenburg, 
or  if  the  latter  has  become  rarer  since  the  migration  of  the 
Lesser  Kestrel  into  that  country. 

Near  the  Middle  Ural  river  and  the  Lower  Volga  the  Lesser 
Kestrel  is  not  common ;  but  it  breeds  throughout  the  whole 
country  as  far  south  as  the  delta  of  the  Volga.  At  the  end 
of  August  (old  style)  1881,  during  my  journey  with  Mr.  Se- 
vertzov  in  the  Khrenovskaja  steppe  (in  the  Government  of 
Voronesh),  there  was  obtained  a  young  Lesser  Kestrel  (c^), 
the  first  specimen  of  that  bird  shot  there  during  nearly  forty 
years.  But  more  to  the  south,  in  the  steppes  of  the  Govern- 
ment of  Stavropol  and  near  the  northern  slopes  of  the 
Caucasus,  the  bird  is  said  to  be  very  common.  More  to  the 
west  the  Lesser  Kestrel  breeds  in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia 
and  Bessarabia,  in  the  Governments  of  Kiev,  Podolsk,  and 
Volhynia,  and  is  still  to  be  found  in  the  south-eastern  portions 
of  Poland.  According  to  Mr.  Taczanovsky  it  is  not  an  un- 
common local  bird  in  the  Government  of  Lublin  and  near 
Radom ;  but  is  not  found  as  far  northwards  as  the  latitude  of 
Warsaw.  It  breeds  in  the  Crimea,  and  a  few  stay  there 
through  the  whole  year. 

TiNNUNCULUS  ALAUDARIUS. 

The  Kestrel  is  distributed  throughout  the  greater  part  of 
Russia;  but  it  is  very  common  only  in  the  middle  and 
southern  portions  of  that  country. 

In  Finland  this  bird  is  found  as  far  north  as  lat.  68°,  but 
near  its  northern  limit  it  is  very  rare ;  it  is  more  common 
near  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia,  and  very  common  in  the  southern 
part  of  Finland.     About  Sego  Lake,  Lake  Onega,  and  from 


294  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

tliere  to  the  Dvina  it  breeds  everywhere,  but  it  is  only  an 
aecidcntal  visitor  to  the  neiglibourhood  of  Archangel,  In 
the  country  about  the  Dvina  its  breeding-limit  is  north- 
eastern instead  of  northern  ;  in  that  country  it  goes  from 
Archangel  to  Ustug,  from  N.N.W.  to  S.S.E.,  and  only 
from  Ustug  to  the  Upper  Kama  it  is  again  northern.  In  the 
last-mentioned  country  the  breeding-limit  of  the  Kestrel 
follows  nearly  lat.  61°-60°.  In  Russia  this  bird  is  well 
known,  except  in  the  Kola  peninsula  and  in  the  country  near 
the  Mezen  river  and  the  Pechora ;  but  we  believe  that  the 
obstacle  to  its  breeding  in  these  localities  is  the  severity  of 
the  climate  and  the  not  sufficiently  wooded  character  of  the 
country.  In  all  the  central  portions  of  Russia,  as  well  as 
in  the  southern  Governments,  the  Kestrel  is  very  common. 
Near  Astrakhan,  in  Bessarabia,  and  in  some  parts  of  the 
southern  steppes  it  remains  through  the  winter. 

Pandion  haliaetus. 

The  Osprey  breeds  throughout  the  whole  of  Russia  from 
the  Arctic  Ocean  to  the  Black  Sea,  the  Caucasus,  and  the 
Caspian  Sea ;  but  it  does  not  like  close  proximity  to  man, 
and  for  that  reason  is  rare  in  the  thickly  populated  districts. 
Another  peculiarity  of  its  distribution  is  that  it  must  always 
be  near  water ;  and  from  these  two  causes  it  naturally  follows 
that  this  bird  is  common  only  in  a  few  parts  of  Russia ;  in 
general  our  country  is  poor  in  suitable  localities  for  the 
Osprey. 

It  is  common  about  the  lakes  of  Finland,  in  the  wooded 
country  between  the  Gulf  of  Finland  and  the  Upper  Dnieper, 
on  the  lakes  of  the  south-eastern  slope  of  the  Ural  Moun- 
tains, and  in  a  few  other  localities.  It  is  rare  in  the  central 
and  southern  portions  of  Russia, 

It  does  not  breed  in  the  Crimea,  but  visits  that  country 
on  migration. 

CiRCAETUS  GALLICUS  and  CiRCAETUS  ORIENTALIS. 

The  Common  and  Steppe  Short-toed  Eagles  are  distinct 
from  each  other  in  their  different  ages,  and  in  their  geogra- 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  295 

phical  ranges  present  at  least  two  races.  The  former  has 
during  its  whole  life  a  brown  throat ;  the  throat  of  the  latter 
is  always  white,  only  streaked  with  shaft-stripes  of  brown. 
The  former  breeds  throughout  the  region  of"  island  woods^^*; 
the  latter  is  a  bird  of  the  steppes,  where  woods  are  very  rare. 
But  this  difference  of  the  breeding-ranges  of  the  two  birds 
exists  only  in  Russia,  and  in  that  country  I  do  not  know  that 
specimens  of  intermediate  character  between  C  gallicus  and 
C  orientalis  occur  ;  whereas  near  the  Mediterranean  the  two 
races  breed  together,  and  specimens  of  intermediate  character 
are  very  common.  I  think  they  are  produced  by  the  inter- 
breeding of  the  two  races. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  these  forms  in  Russia  is 
as  follows  : — C.  gallicus  breeds  throughout  all  the  woods  of 
Central  Russia  and  on  the  western  borders  of  the  steppes,  as 
far  east  as  Semirechje :  it  is  not  uncommon  about  Vernoje. 
In  Western  Russia  this  bird  breeds  in  Livonia,  and  has  been 
found  during  the  summer  in  Esthonia,  as  well  as  in  the 
Government  of  St.  Petersburg ;  but  we  do  not  know  if  it 
breeds  in  the  two  latter  provinces.  To  the  east  the  northern 
limit  of  distribution  of  C.  gallicus  is  the  Upper  and  Middle 
Volga  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Kama  ;  but  it  does  not 
breed  so  far  north,  and  is  very  rare  in  the  country  near  the 
Volga.  It  is  more  common  south  of  lat.  55°,  common  in 
Western  Russia,  rarer  eastwards  from  the  Dnieper.  In 
Southern  Russia  it  is  found  in  Bessarabia,  and  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Podolsk,  Kiev,  and  Kharkov,  and  probably 
occasionally  breeds  throughout  the  whole  country  from  the 
Governments  of  Tambov  and  Voronesh  to  the  Ural. 

C.  orientalis  is  found  at  present  in  the  steppes  near  the 
Ural  river,  near  the  mouths  of  the  Volga  and  the  Don,  and 
in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia ;  it  is  rare  everywhere. 

Pernis  apivorus. 

The  Honey-Buzzard  breeds  regularly  in  all  the  well- wooded 

*  This  term  signifies  woods  surrounded  by  plains  or  fields,  being  a 
literal  translation  from  tlie  Russian, 


296  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

districts  of  Northern  and  Central  Russia ;  but  it  is  a  very 
local  bird  in  the  southern  part  of  the  country,  and  is  only 
found  on  migration  in  the  extreme  south. 

It  is  rare  in  Finland,  where  it  is  found  as  far  north  as 
lat.  66°,  and  very  rare  near  Archangel.  In  the  country 
between  the  Dvina  and  the  Kama  its  northern  breeding-limit 
is  unknown ;  but  in  the  Government  of  Perm  it  is  found 
only  as  far  north  as  lat.  58°.  It  is  common  in  Southex'n 
Finland,  in  the  country  near  Lake  Onega,  in  the  Government 
of  Ufa,  and  in  Central  Russia  ;  but  occurs  only  occasionally 
in  the  Baltic  provinces  and  in  Poland.  In  very  large  forests 
near  Lake  Peipus  and  in  the  wooded  country  of  West  Russia 
(Belorussia  and  Litra)  this  bird  is  not  common.  In  the  Ural 
branches,  in  the  Government  of  Simbirsk,  and  westwards 
from  the  Don  in  the  wooded  districts  of  Little  Russia  and  in 
the  wooded  river- valleys  of  New  Russia,  the  Honey-Buzzard 
is  very  rare,  though  it  breeds  there  as  well  as  in  the  Pruth 
valley,  Bessarabia.  According  to  Mr.  Severtzov,  it  was  very 
rare  in  the  Government  of  Voronesh  until  1860  ;  since  that 
year  it  has  become  more  common  in  the  country,  and  now 
breeds  there  in  all  the  forests  which  are  large  enough  to 
afford  it  a  retreat. 

Near  the  mouth  of  the  Ural  river,  at  Sarepta,  and  in  the 
Crimea  the  Honey-Buzzard  has  been  only  seen  on  migration. 

BUTEO  VULGARIS. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  many  specimens  of  Buzzards 
from  different  portions  of  Russia,  I  am  now  firmly  convinced 
that,  contrary  to  the  opinion  of  most  ornithologists,  the 
Common  Buzzard  is  found  only  in  the  western  and  south- 
western parts  of  Russia,  and  that  more  northwards  and  east- 
wards it  is  replaced  by  the  African  Buzzard  {Buteo  vulpinns) , 
its  breeding-range  in  Russia  being  nearly  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Red  Kite  and  Barn-Owl. 

Without  doubt  the  Common  Buzzard  breeds  in  the  follow- 
ing localities  of  Russia: — in  the  Baltic  provinces,  in  Poland 
(where  it  is  common  as  far  east  as  the  Vistula  and  is  rare 
eastwards  from  the  Vistula,  though   it  is  still  found   in   the 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  297 

district  of  Slouim^  in  the  Goverument  of  Grodno),  in  Bess- 
arabia,  and  near  the  borders  of  the  latter  country. 

Near  the  east  limit  of  the  above-mentioned  countries 
specimens  are  very  common  which  are  intermediate  between 
the  Common  and  African  Buzzard,  both  in  colouring  and  in 
dimensions.  I  think  they  are  produced  by  the  interbreeding 
of  the  two  species. 

I  do  not  know  for  certain  if  the  Common  Buzzard  l)reeds 
in  Finland ;  but  it  is  very  possible. 

BuTEO  vuLPiNUs  {Buteo  desertorum  auctor.  plurim.,  nee 
Buteo  cirtensis,  Levaill.  j.). 

The  African  Buzzard  is  distributed  throughout  the  whole 
of  Russia.  It  breeds  everywhere  in  the  wooded  country  of 
Northern  Russia,  where  the  forests  are  more  or  less  cut  down 
(for  example  in  the  country  between  the  Tipper  Volga  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Dvina),  is  very  common  throughout  Central 
Russia,  and  is  not  uncommon  in  the  woods  of  Southern 
Russia;  but  it  is  not  found  either  in  the  thickly  wooded 
country  of  the  Pechora  or  in  the  woodless  southern  steppes. 

I  have  not  seen  specimens  of  the  African  Buzzard  from 
Finland  ;  but  specimens  of  Buteo  obtained  by  Mr.  Sandeberg 
near  Lake  Onega  being  typical  B.  vulpinus,  it  is  possible 
that  throughout  Finland  both  species  breed — B.  vulpimis  as 
well  as  B.  vulgaris.  The  western  breeding-limit  of  the 
African  Buzzard  is  nearly  the  same  as  the  eastern  breeding 
limit  of  the  Common  Buzzard,  but  only  approximately.  B.  vul- 
pinus  occasionally  breeds  in  the  eastern  portions  of  the  range 
of  the  Common  Buzzard,  and  the  latter  is  a  local  breeding 
bird  in  the  western  portions  of  the  range  of  the  African 
Buzzard.  The  western  breeding-limit  of  B.  vulpimis  near 
the  Baltic  Sea  is  the  Vistula  ;  but  occasionally  this  bird  visits 
the  eastern  portions  of  Northern  and  Southern  Germany, 
having  been  found  there  more  often  during  the  last  fifteen 
years.  In  the  south-western  portion  of  Russia  also  the 
two  above-mentioned  Buzzards  are  found  together,  inter- 
breeding there  as  in  the  more  northern  parts,  and  the 
African  Buzzard  is  not  uncommon  on  the  western  shores  of 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  z 


298  M,  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

the  Black  Sea.  Eastwards  from  the  Ural  Mountains  the 
African  Buzzard  is  distributed  as  far  as  Semirechje,  being 
found  breeding  near  Wernoje  and  near  the  Issyk-kul,  where 
it  meets  with  the  Japanese  Buzzard. 

The  African  Buzzard  is  found  in  the  Crimea  and  near 
Gurjev  only  on  migration. 

BUTEO  FEROX. 

The  breeding-range  of  the  Long-tailed  Buzzard  in  Russia 
is  still  insufficiently  known.  It  is  a  common  breeding  bird 
in  the  steppes  near  the  Caspian  Sea;  but  its  northern  and 
western  breeding-limits  are  unknown.  Mr.  Severtzov  has 
been  told  that  in  the  country  between  the  Ural  and  Flek 
rivers  Archibuteo  lagopus  breeds ;  but  Mr.  Severtzov  thinks 
that  it  is  Buteo  ferox  which  breeds  there,  whilst  Archibuteo 
lagopus  only  visits  that  country  during  its  winter  migration. 
Mr.  Sabaneev  supposes  that  Archihnteo  lagopus  breeds  in 
the  district  of  Shadrinsk  but  this  is  probably  a  mistake. 
According  to  Mr.  Henke  the  Long-tailed  Buzzard  is  rare  in 
the  steppes  between  the  Ural  river  and  the  Lower  Volga,  but 
is  common  west  of  the  Volga.  Mr.  Severtzov  obtained  a  spe- 
cimen of  this  Buzzard  in  the  steppe  near  the  Biting  river  on 
autumn  migration ;  and  I  have  seen  a  specimen  of  it  obtained  j 
December  1854  in  the  Crimea  (Tamak),  w^iich  is  preserved 
in  the  Zoological  Museum  of  Moscow.  In  Paris,  in  the  ex- 
cellent collection  of  Mr.  Alleon,  I  saw  three  specimens  of 
this  bird  obtained  by  that  gentlemen  in  the  Dobrudscha 
(?j|  1882,  ?i  1882,  ?  I  1882),  and  a  fourth  from  the 
neighbourhood  of  Constantinople  (|^  1874).  From  these 
circumstances  we  infer  that  it  is  very  possible  that  the  Long- 
tailed  Buzzard  breeds  in  some  parts  of  the  steppes  of  Southern 
Russia  west  of  the  Don. 

Archibuteo  lagopus. 

The  principal  breeding-ground  of  the  Rough-legged  Buz- 
zard is  on  the  tundras  beyond  the  wooded  region,  where  only 
cover  of  birch  and  willow  is  to  be  found ;  but  it  is  also  a 
local  breeding  bird  more  to  the  south. 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. 


299 


In  Nortliern  Russia  the  bird  is  common  about  the  Varanger 
Fiord^  on  the  coast  of  Murman,  near  Lake  Enare,  and  gene- 
rally in  Lapland ;  and  not  uncommon  in  the  tundras  of  the 
north-eastern  country,  from  the  Kanin  peninsula  throughout 
the  Lower  Pechora  to  the  northern  branches  of  the  Ural .  This 
Buzzard  also  breeds  occasionally  in  many  parts  of  the  wooded 
country  as  far  south  as  lat.  56° — a  very  interesting  fact  in 
the  history  of  the  Russian  avifauna.  It  breeds,  for  example, 
near  Lake  Sego,  near  the  Dvina,  in  the  Government  of 
Vologda.  This  bird  has  been  found  but  rarely  in  the  breeding- 
season  in  the  Government  of  St.  Petersburg,  and,  according 
to  Mr.  Russov,  breeds  irregularly  in  the  Baltic  provinces. 
Mr.  Sabaneev  says  that  the  Rough-legged  Buzzard  breeds  in 
the  north-eastern  portions  of  the  Government  of  Jaroslav, 
and  I  have  been  told  that  it  breeds  in  some  parts  of  the 
Government  of  Vladimir  (56°). 

According  to  Mr.  Bogdanov  it  is  possible  that  it  breeds 
in  the  districts  of  Syzran  (in  the  Government  of  Simbii'sk) 
and  Belebejev  (in  the  Government  of  Ufa)  (lat.  54°-53°). 

On  the  autumn  and  spring  migration  the  Rough-legged 
Buzzard  is  a  common  visitant  to  Middle  Russia,  where  a  few 
specimens  remain  all  the  winter  through ;  but  its  winter- 
quarters  are  in  Southern  Russia,  where  it  strays  as  far  south 
as  the  mouth  of  the  Volga  and  the  Crimea. 

Aquila  fulva,  Aquila  chrysabtos,  and  Aquila  nobilis. 

After  a  careful  examination  of  many  specimens  of  the 
Golden  Eagle  from  different  parts  of  the  Palsearctic  Region, 
Mr.  Severtzov  established  three  typical  forms  of  this  Eagle  : — 


Aquila  fulva. 
The  young  oiA.fulva 
have  the  white  on  the 
base  of  the  tail,  but  this 
character  disappears 
with  tlie  advance  of  age, 
and  the  tail  of  the  adult 
Eagle  is  dark. 


Aqidla  chrysa'efos. 

The  young  of  ^.  chry- 
saetos  have  not  the 
white  on  the  base  of 
the  tail ;  the  tail  of  the 
young  Eagle  is  as  dark 
as  that  of  the  adult. 


Aquila  nobilis. 
The  white  on  the 
base  of  the  tail  is  a 
permanent  character  of 
the  young  and  adult  of 
A.  nobilis. 


The  first  form  of  the  Golden  Eagle  (A.  fulva)   does  not 

z  2 


800  M.  Menzbicr  on  the  Birds  of  European 

breed  in  Russia,  but  near  the  western  limit  of  the  country 
in  the  Carpathian  Mountains^. 

The  second  form  of  the  Golden  Eagle  [A.  chrysaetos)  is 
distributed  throughout  the  whole  wooded  country  of  North 
Russia  as  far  west  as  Sweden,  and  as  far  east  as  Lake  Baikal. 
The  southern  breeding-limit  of  this  species  is  as  follows  : — 
In  the  Baltic  provinces  A.  chrysaetos  breeds  as  far  south  as 
the  Dvina  river  ;  more  east,  in  the  Government  of  Vitebsk, 
its  breeding-limit  crosses  that  river  and  comprises  the  whole 
wooded  country  of  Litua.  From  there  the  southern  limit 
of  the  breeding-range  of  A.  chrysaetos  goes  across  the 
Dnieper  northwards  from  Kiev  (near  lat.  52°),  across  the 
Desna  river  northwards  from  Chernigov  and  across  the  Oker 
between  the  towns  Orel  and  Kaluga  (near  lat.  53°) .  More 
to  the  east  the  breeding-limit  of  ^.  chrysaetos  is  insufficiently 
known ;  it  probably  breeds  throughout  the  large  woods  of  the 
northern  parts  of  the  Governments  of  Tambov  and  Pensa, 
along  the  right  coast  of  the  Oka,  and  between  the  moaths  of 
the  Oka  and  Kama.  From  the  mouth  of  the  last-mentioned 
river  the  southern  breeding-limit  of  A.  chrysaetos  runs  along 
the  Kama  as  far  as  the  mouth  of  the  Belaja  river,  and  thence 
in  a  S.S.E.  direction.  Mr.  Severtzov  saw  in  the  Museum 
of  Orenburg  many  specimens  of  this  Eagle  obtained  in  the 
country  of  the  Upper  Belaja,  Ik,  and  Sakmara,  and  from  the 
southern  Ural  Mountains  (as  far  south  as  lat,  52°).  North 
of  the  above-mentioned  limit  A.  chrysaetos  breeds  every- 
where as  far  as  the  limit  of  forest-growth ;  south  from  that 
limit  it  is  only  a  rare  stranger  during  its  winter  migration. 

The  third  form  of  the  Golden  Eagle  {A.  nobilis)  breeds 
throughout  the  woods  of  Middle  Russia,  and  occasionally  in 
the  wooded  country  of  Northern  Russia  as  far  as  Mezen  and 
lat.  60°  in  the  Ural  Mountains.  Southwards  it  breeds  as  far 
as  the  Governments  of  Podolsk,  Kiev,  Poltava,  Kharkov, 
Voronesh,  and  Saratov ;  but  in  all  these  places  it  is  rare  and 
local.     East  of  the  Volga  it  is   a  common  breeding  bird  in 

*  Mr.  Schalow  has  mis-stated  the  breeding-district  of  Aqtiilafulva  as 
the  Ural  Mountains  instead  of  the  Carpathian  Mountains  (Journ.  f.  Orn. 
1883,  p.  410). 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  301 

the  forests  between  that  river  and  the  Ural  Mountains,  and 
probably  breeds  in  some  parts  of  the  steppes  between  the 
Volga  and  Ural  rivers.  It  does  not  breed  in  the  steppes  of 
New  Russia,  nor  in  the  steppes  between  the  Don  and  the  Volga, 
but  is  found  there  during  the  winter,  and  is  resident  in  the 
Crimea.  According  to  Mr.  Taczanovsky,  twenty  years  ago 
this  Eagle  bred  in  Poland,  but  now  is  only  a  winter  visitor 
to  that  country. 

Aquila  imperialis. 

The  Imperial  Eagle  is  essentially  a  lover  of  the  plains  near 
the  large  forests,  and  breeds  only  on  the  steppes  of  Russia ; 
but  occasionally  it  strays  as  far  north  as  the  central  govern- 
ments. 

In  the  Ural  Mountains  this  bird  is  found  as  far  north  as 
lat.  56°,  breeding  (on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Martin)  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ekaterinburg.  Mr.  Pleske  informs  me  that  this 
Eagle  is  common  in  the  district  of  Orenburg,  and  that  in 
Avigust  1872  he  met  with  many  specimens  of  it  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Sterlitamak  (in  the  Government  of  Ufa) .  According 
to^versmann  it  is  common  in  the  branches  of  the  Ural 
and  in  the  steppes  near  them,  but  according  to  INIr.  Hcnke 
it  is  somewhat  rare  near  Astrakhan.  West  of  the  Volga  the 
Imperial  Eagle  is  a  common  breeding  bird  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Simbirsk,  Saratov,  Voronesh,  Kharkov,  Kiev,  and 
Podolsk,  as  well  as  in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia  and  in  the 
Crimea. 

As  an  occasional  visitor  the  bird  is  found  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Riazan,  Tula,  Moscow,  Tver,  and  Pskov,  in  the 
Baltic  provinces,  in  Poland,  and  in  Lithuania. 

On  migration  the  Imperial  Eagle  follows  the  great  route 
from  the  Volga  to  the  Lower  Don,  along  the  coasts  of  the 
Azov  Sea,  and  along  the  northern  and  western  coasts  of  the 
Black  Sea.  But  we  do  not  know  any  thing  of  its  migration 
throughout  South-eastern  Russia,  from  the  Ural  Mountains 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Ural  river  and  along  the  coast  of  the 
Caspian  Sea. 


303 


M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  Europecm 


AqUILA  ORIENTALIS,  A.   GLITSCHII,  aild  A.   BIFASCIATA. 

Accordiug  to  Mr.  Severtzov,  throughout  the  steppes  of 
Southern  Russia  and  Western  Asia  two  forms  of  the 
Steppe-Eagles  breed,  a  third  being  found  more  to  the  east. 
These  forms  are  A.  orientalis,  A.  glitschii,  and  A.  bifasciata. 


A.  orieyitalis. 
Adult   bird    uniform 
dark  brown,  -with   the 
addition  of  a  fulvous- 
coloured  nuchal  patch. 


The  first  plumage  of 
this  Eagle  is  earth- 
brown,  mottled  with 
pale  fulvous  on  the 
lower  back,  middle  sea- 
pulary  region,  little  and 
middle  wing-coverts, 
breast,  and  abdomen ; 
the  great  wing-coverts 
and  secondaries  with 
large  terminal  patches 
of  fulvous ;  the  upper 
and  lower  tail-coverts 
fulvous.  After  the  first 
moult  the  fulvous 
patches  of  all  the  fea- 
thers more  or  less  disap- 
pear, with  the  exception 
of  those  on  the  greater 
wing-coverts  and  secon- 
daries. After  the  second 
moult  the  plumage  is 
nearly  uniform,  but 
double  bars  across  the 
wing  and  traces  of  ful- 
vous on  the  tail-coverts 
exist  until  the  fourth 
moult,  at  which  the 
bird  receives  its  adult 
plumage. 


A.  glitschii. 

Adult  bird  earth- 
brown,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  fulvous-co- 
loured nuchal  band  and 
a  pale  fulvous  baud 
across  the  lower  back  ; 
primaries,  secondaries, 
and  tail-feathers  barred. 

The  first  plumage  of 
this  Eagle  is  nearly 
uniform  earth-brown, 
with  terminal  fulvous 
patches  on  some  of  the 
greater  wiug-coverts  ; 
secondaries  and  tail- 
feathers  terminated 
with  the  same  colour  ; 
tail-coverts  fidvous,  the 
lower  irregularl}'  barred 
withbrowu.  After  the 
first  and  second  moults 
the  bird  becomes  more 
and  more  uniform  earth- 
brown  ;  but  a  fulvous- 
coloured  nuchal  band 
and  a  pale  fulvous  band 
across  the  lower  back 
are  developed  w^th  the 
third  and  fourth  moults. 


A.  bifasciata. 

Adult  bird  earth- 
brown,  with  double 
bars  on  the  wings  and 
fulvous-coloured  upper 
and  lower  tail-coverts ; 
primaries,  secondaries, 
and  tail-feathers  not 
barred. 

The  first  plumage  of 
this  Eagle  is  earth- 
brown,  with  double 
bars  on  the  wings,  but 
without  the  patches  on 
the  other  regions  of  the 
body;  the  second  plu- 
mage is  mottled  with 
fulvous.  After  the  tl^ird 
and  fourth  moults  the 
bird  becomes  uniformly 
coloured,  and  receives 
its  adult  plumage,  only 
with  double  bars  on  the 
wing. 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  303 

I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Severtzov  for  the 
following  notes  on  the  geographical  distribution  of  the  three 
above-mentioned  Steppe-Eagles  : — 

"  The  geographical  distribution  of  the  three  species  of 
Steppe-Eagles^  Aquila  orientalis,  Aq.  glitschii,  Aq.  bifasciata, 
generally  is  such  that  each  of  those  birds  replaces  in  its 
habitat  the  others^  their  breeding-ranges  being  narrow  regions 
going  from  W.S.W.  to  E.N.E.  Also,  if  we  travel  from  W. 
to  E.  (for  example,  from  Ruschuk  to  Perovsk,  across  the 
Lower  Danube,  Dnieper,  Don,  Volga,  and  Syr),  and  from  N. 
to  S.  (for  example,  from  Troizk  to  Tashkent),  we  shall  find 
the  same  succession  of  the  regions  of  the  three  above-men- 
tioned species  of  Eagles  :  at  first  we  shall  find  the  breeding- 
range  of  Aq.  orientalis,  after  it  that  of  Aq.  glitschii,  and  at 
last  that  of  Aq.  bifasciata. 

"Aquila  orientalis  breeds  as  far  west  as  the  country  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Danube  (Dobrudscha),  from  which  I  saw 
a  nestling  in  the  Museum  of  Vienna.  Naumann  received  this 
species  from  the  district  of  Dnieper,  in  the  Government  of 
Taurida.  The  original  specimen  of  Cabanis,  and  many 
others,  were  obtained  in  spring  and  summer  in  the  hills 
near  the  river  Sarpa,  beyond  Sarepta.  A  specimen  in  my 
collection  ((^  ad.)  was  obtained  at  the  end  of  August  near 
the  Lower  Ural  river,  at  the  fore-post  Krasnojarsk ;  another, 
a  young  one,  was  found  in  the  beginning  of  September  more 
to  the  north,  near  Stanitga  Sakharnaja,  I  also  obtained  a 
young  specimen,  and  several  times  have  observed  the  adult 
birds  of  this  species  in  the  steppes  of  the  Government  of 
Voronesh,  in  the  district  of  Burreluk  (in  the  Government  of 
Samara),  near  the  mouth  of  the  Uy  (lat.  55°),  and  near  the 
river  Irtysh,  150  versts  from  Semipalatinsk. 

"  I  think  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  Eagles  supposed  by 
Nordmann  to  be  A.  ncevia,  which  breed  on  the  ground 
throughout  all  the  steppes  of  Southern  Eussia  Avest  of  the 
Don,  are  not  A.  ncevia  :  jjrobabhj  iYxej  are^.  or'ientalis.  But 
it  is  possible  that  Nordmann  observed  not  only  A.  orientalis, 
but  also  A.  glitschii,  if  this  latter  breeds  west  of  the  Don, 
regarding  which  we  do  not  yet  know  any  thing. 


304  M.  Menzbier  on.  the  Birds  of  European 

"  On  migration  tliis  species  was  observed  in  great  numbers, 
togetlier  with  A.  ylitschii,  in  the  vicinity  of  Constantinople 
by  Mr.  AUeon^  who  erroneously  named  them  A.  clanga, 
Pall.,  and  A.  ncevioides,  Cuv. ;  but  we  do  not  know  the 
winter-quarters  of  A.  orient alis. 

"  A.  orient  alis  has  been  once  obtained  in  the  Government 
of  Moscow. 

"  Aqiiila  glitschii  was  probably  found  by  Gmelin  in  the 
steppes  near  the  Lower  Don  ;  but  Gmelin's  description  being 
insufficient,  we  cannot  be  certain  of  the  identification. 
Mr.  Shatilov  obtained  a  specimen  of  A.  (/litschii  in  the  Crimea 
(  $  ,  IX.  1854),  probably  on  migration.  It  is  numerous  about 
the  Sarpa,  where  it  is  more  common  than  A.  orientalis,  with 
which  it  is  mingled  there.  Mr.  Artzibashev  has  furnished 
specimens  of  this  Eagle  from  the  steppes  of  Astrakhan.  I 
liave  found  and  obtained  specimens  of  A.  glitschii  in  the 
steppes  near  the  river  Ural,  as  far  north  as  400  versts  from 
the  mouth,  in  the  steppes  near  the  river  Emba,  and  in  the 
country  between  the  Syr-Darja  and  Turgai  (meridian  of 
Perovsk).  A  young  specimen  in  my  collection  was  obtained 
in  the  hills  north  of  Kuldscha  (lat.  73°)  ;  an  adult  specimen 
was  furnished  by  Mr.  Karelin  for  the  Zoological  Museum  of 
Moscow  from  the  river  Ajaghuz  (lat.  48°),  and  many  others 
were  obtained  by  General  Kolpakovsky  in  Semirechje  (now 
preserved  in  the  Zoological  Museum  of  Moscow) . 

'^I  infer  from  these  facts  that  the  breeding-range  of  ^. 
glitschii  extends  from  the  Lower  Don  to  the  Black  Irtysh, 
across  the  Lower  Volga,  Ural,  and  the  middle  portion  of  the 
Kirghiz  steppes.  From  the  river  Ajaghuz  its  principal  breed- 
range  extends  throughout  the  breeding-range  of  A.  bifas- 
ciata,  along  the  foot  of  Tarbagatai,  Barlyx,  Simirechensky 
Alatau,  and  Erin-khabargha  as  far  as  Kuldscha. 

"  On  migration  this  Eagle  was  observed  by  Mr.  Alleon 
near  Constantinople  (the  route  to  the  Don  and  the  Volga). 
I  found  it  on  the  route  of  migration  which  goes  round  the 
northern  and  western  foot  of  the  Tiau-shan,  from  Aulje-ata 
across  Tchimkent  to  Tashkent ;  and  probably  it  is  the  same 
species  that  I  observed  on  migration  across  Karakum,  near 


Russia  nortli  of  tht  Caucasus.  305 

the  north-eastern  angle  of  the  Aral  Sea  ;  but  in  the  distance 
I  could  not  distinguish  it  from  A.  clanga. 

''1  have  a  specimen  oi  A.  glitschii  obtained  by  Mr.  An- 
derson in  winter  between  the  Sutluj  and  Ganges^  near 
the  southern  foot  of  the  Himalaya;  it  is  very  like  that  ob- 
tained in  the  Kirghiz  steppes  north  of  Perousk ;  but  we  do 
not  know  any  thing  more  of  the  winter-quarters  of  A.  glit- 
schii,  though  it  doubtless  winters  west  of  North-western 
India. 

'' Aquila  bifasciata  was  not  found  by  me  west  of  the  Aral 
Sea.  I  saw  many  young  specimens  dead  which  had  been 
taken  from  nests  near  the  stations  of  the  route  from  Oren- 
burg to  Tashkent^  near  the  north-east  angle  of  the  Aral  Sea, 
and  near  Dschulek  (on  the  Syr-Darja,  600  versts  from  the 
mouth).  The  specimens  in  my  collection  were  obtained 
during  migration  near  Aulje-ata,  Tchimkent^  and  Tashkent, 
but  1  did  not  find  this  Eagle  during  the  summer  in  the 
steppes  near  the  foot  of  the  Tian-shan.  The  nests,  which  I 
know,  were  found  in  the  biishes  of  saxaul  near  the  Syr,  and 
more  to  the  north,  near  the  north-eastern  angle  of  the  Aral 
Sea.  Probably  it  breeds  also  near  the  Tohu ;  and  Colonel 
Prjevalsky  has  found  this  Eagle  in  summer  sparingly  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  bushes  of  saxaul  in  the  Alashan  and 
near  the  frontier  of  China. 

"On  migration  I  liave  several  times  obtained  A.  bifas- 
ciata at  Aulje-ata,  Tchimkent,  also  more  southwards  near 
Tashkent,  and  on  the  Lower  Amu. 

"  This  Eagle  winters  in  Northern  India,  whence  I  have 
specimens  obtained  by  Mr.  Anderson.  By  Colonel  Prje- 
valsky it  was  found  during  the  winter  in  the  high  steppes 
near  the  Lake  Khu-khu-nor,  where  it  is  very  cold,  but  snow- 
less  ;  there  it  feeds  on  Lagomys  and  the  other  species  of 
Glires." 

Aquila  clanga. 

The  Larger  Spotted  Eagle  breeds  throughout  the  wooded 
districts  of  Russia  from  lat.  60°  as  far  south  as  the  southern 
limits  of  forest-growth.    A  specimen  of  this  bird  was  obtained 


306  M.  Menzhier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

by  Mr.  Paljakov  near  Lake  Onega,  but  it  only  occasionally 
straggles  to  that  nortliern  country.  According  to  Mr.  Russov 
it  is  a  rare  breeding  bird  in  the  Baltic  provinces,  where  its 
more  western  representative,  the  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle,  is 
more  common.  In  the  Governments  of  Tver,  Jaroslav, 
Moscow,  Tula,  and  Orel,  the  Larger  Spotted  Eagle  is  more  com- 
mon, and  it  is  very  common  in  the  woods  of  Eastern  Russia, 
from  the  Oxa  river  to  the  Ural  Mountains.  In  the  Ural 
Mountains  and  their  branches  the  bird  is  found  from 
lat.  60°  to  lat.  55°,  but  generally  its  southern  breeding-limit 
in  Russia  is  but  little  known.  On  the  wooded  islands  of  the 
Volga  it  breeds  as  far  south  as  lat.  50°,  and  probably  still 
more  to  the  south.  According  to  Mr.  Severtzov  it  is  a 
breeding  bird  in  the  forests  of  the  river-valleys  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Voronesh.  More  to  the  south-west  it  is  probably  a 
rare  breeding  bird  in  the  Government  of  Kharkov,  and,  with- 
out doubt,  breeds  in  the  woods  of  the  Government  of  Kiev ; 
but  in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia  it  is  replaced  by  Aquila 
orientalis.  In  Western  Russia,  from  the  Upper  Dnieper  to 
Poland,  it  breeds  everywhere,  but  is  rare. 

Aquila  n^evia. 

The  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  is  met  with  only  in  the  western 
parts  of  Russia ;  it  is  a  very  typical  member  of  the  avifauna 
of  Western  and  Southern  Europe,  and  generally  is  found  in 
the  same  country  as  the  Common  Buzzard,  the  Red  Kite, 
and  the  Barn-Owl. 

According  to  Mr.  Mela  the  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  is  a  rare 
occasional  visitor  to  the  eastern  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Bothnia. 
My  friend  Mr.  Pleske  informs  me  that  this  bird  has  been  once 
found  in  the  district  of  Vyshny-Voloschok  (in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Tver).  It  is  more  common  in  the  Governments  of 
Pskov  and  St.  Petersburg,  and  breeds  everywhere  in  the 
Baltic  provinces.  According  to  Mr.  Taczanovsky  it  is  a 
breeding  bird  in  Poland,  and,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Pleske, 
is  common  and  breeds  in  the  Government  of  Grodno.  More 
to  the  south  it  breeds  in  the  Governments  of  Podolsk,  Kiev, 
and  in  Bessarabia,  and  probably  in  the  whole  wooded  country 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  307 

between  Lake  Peypus  and  the  Upper  Dnieper.  In  all  the 
above-mentioned  localities  the  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  breeds 
together  with  its  somewhat  larger  representative,  Aquila 
clariga ;  but  it  is  more  and  more  rare  in  proportion  as  it 
recedes  from  the  shores  of  the  Baltic  Sea,  and  the  eastern 
race  is,  on  the  contrary,  more  and  more  rare  in  proportion  as 
it  approaches  it. 

The  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  is  sedentary  only  in  the  south- 
western parts  of  Russia. 

Mr.  Kalenichenko  informs  us  that  Aquila  ncevia  is  found 
"  rariter  in  montibus  Tauriee  ad  Czatyrdach.^^  I  have  not 
seen  a  specimen  of  the  Spotted  Eagle  from  the  Crimea ;  but 
it  is  not  impossible  that  it  is  really  the  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle 
that  breeds  in  the  mountain- woods  of  that  peninsula,  as  it 
is  this  and  not  the  other  species  which  has  been  obtained  in 
the  Caucasus"^. 

Aquila  bonellii. 

Bonelli^s  Eagle  is  only  a  very  rare  and  accidental  visitor 
to  the  southern  parts  of  Russia. 

According  to  Mr.  Nordmann  it  was  once  met  with  near 
Odessa.  Mr.  Severtzov  informs  us,  on  the  authority  of  one 
of  his  friends,  that  this  bird  has  been  found  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  Voronesh.  An  example  of  it  has  been  obtained 
near  Sarepta. 

Mr.  Goebel  tells  us  that  a  specimen  of  Bonelli's  Eagle  was 
observed  by  him  in  the  district  of  Uman  (in  the  Government 
of  Kiev) ;  but  this  specimen  was  not  obtained,  and  "die  leuch- 
tenden  Schulterflecken,^'  mentioned  by  Mr.  Goebel,  give  us 
very  great  doubts  in  deciding  whether  the  observed  bird 
was  really  a  Bonelli^s  Eagle. 

*  Mr.  Seebohm  informs  us  (Ibis,  1883,  i.  p.  3)  that  in  the  mountain- 
valleys  of  the  northern  slopes  of  the  Caucasus  the  Larger  Spotted  Eagle 
breeds.  But,  according  to  Mr.  Bogdanov,  in  the  above-mentioned  country 
the  Lesser  Spotted  Eagle  breeds ;  and  Mr.  Severtzov,  the  most  competent 
judge  of  the  identification  of  the  Eagles,  told  me  that  the  specimen  in 
Bogdanov's  collection  was  really  Aquila  ncsvia,  and  not  Aquila  clanga. 
But  two  males  in  Mr.  Seebohm's  collection  from  Lenkoran  are  uncLues- 
tionably  A,  clanga. 


308  M.  Menzbiev  on  the  Birds  of  European 

Aquila  pennata  and  Aquila  minuta. 

I  think  that  Aquila  pennata  is  distinct  from  Aquila  minuta, 
with  which  it_,  however^  regularly  interbreeds. 

The  Booted  Eagles  are  not  iincommon  in  Southern- Russia, 
but  are  very  local  in  the  central  part  of  that  country. 

According  to  ]Mr.  Kaplick  they  are  found  in  the  district 
of  Tikhrin  (in  the  Government  of  Novgorod) .  I  once  found 
the  Booted  Eagle  in  the  Government  of  Tula.  Mr.  Severtzov 
informs  me  that,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Bakunin,  this 
bird  was  probably  observed  in  the  Government  of  Kazan^ 
near  the  limit  of  the  district  of  Bugulma.  According  to 
Mr.  Sabaueev  they  are  found  in  the  Ural  Mountains  south 
of  lat  57°.  They  probably  breed  in  the  wooded  parts  of  the 
country  between  the  Volga  and  the  Ural  rivers,  and  doubt- 
less also  in  the  Governments  of  Voronesh,  Kharkov,  Kiev, 
Podolsk,  and  Volhynia,  where  they  are  not  uncommon.  Mr. 
Taczanovsky  records  these  birds  as  being  rare  in  Poland. 
In  the  south  of  Russia  Booted  Eagles  have  been  observed  in 
the  wooded  districts  of  the  steppes  of  the  Black  Sea,  as  well 
as  in  the  Crimea,  and  doubtless  breed  in  both  localities. 

Mr.  Karelin  has  obtained  this  species  near  Guriev  at  the 
end  of  August  (old  style),  probably  on  autumn  migration. 
It  is  common  on  spring  and  autumn  migration  in  the  Crimea, 
especially  in  the  autumn. 

Haliaetus  albicilla. 

The  White-tailed  Eagle  is  a  more  or  less  common  breeding 
bird  throughout  the  whole  of  Russia,  with  the  exception  of 
the  central  governments,  where  it  is  very  rare.  The  northern 
examples  of  this  bird  migrate  south  during  the  autumn  to 
Southern  Russia,  where  they  meet  with  the  resident  birds  of 
the  latter  country,  and  consequently  the  White-tailed  Eagle 
is  very  common  during  the  winter  in  Southern  Russia.  It 
is  not  uncommon  also  during  the  winter  in  Western  and 
South-eastern  Russia,  but  is  very  rare  more  to  the  north. 

Haliaetus  leucoryphus. 

Pallas's    Sea-Eagle   is   doubtless  found  in    South-eastern 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  309 

Russia  along  the  coasts  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  but  its  western 
limit  is  somewhat  difficult  to  trace. 

According  to  Mr.  Severtzov,  Pallas's  Sea-Eagle  is  to  be 
met  with  in  the  steppes  of  the  Caspian  Sea  as  far  north  as 
Uralsk  and  Busuluk  (the  Samara  river).  It  is  very  common 
near  the  Lower  Ural  river,  especially  between  the  Kalmikova 
and  the  sea ;  but,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Severtzov,  in  the 
Caspian  steppes  there  is  no  place  where  it  regularly  breeds. 
According  to  Mr.  Henke,  Pallas^s  Sea-Eagle  is  occasionally 
found  on  the  steppes  of  the  Lower  Volga,  where  it  breeds 
on  the  ground.  This  bird  was  once  seen  by  Bogdanov  at  the 
end  of  September  in  the  delta  of  the  Terek.  According  to 
Col.  Irby  it  is  common  in  the  interior  of  the  Crimea,  but  is  not 
seen  among  the  rocks  by  the  coast.  This  bird  bred,  on  the 
authority  of  Col.  L'by,  in  two  instances,  on  trees  close  to  the 
Kacha  river ;  but  I  have  never  seen  any  example  of  Pallas^s 
Sea-Eagle  in  collections  of  birds  from  that  country,  and 
never  observed  it  during  my  two  journeys  in  the  Crimea.  Mr. 
Kalenichenko  states  that  it  is  a  rare  bird  in  the  Government 
of  Kherson,  near  the  Bug,  and  along  the  coasts  of  the  Black 
Sea.  Mr.  Nordmann  supposes  that  he  has  had  a  young  bird  of 
this  species  from  the  Bug;  and  a  probable  instance  of  its  having 
nested  still  further  westward,  in  the  Pravidy  valley,  Bulgaria, 
has  been  recorded  by  Mr.  Farman.  But  Messrs.  Elwes  and 
Buckley  did  not  observe  Pallas^s  Sea-Eagle  in  Turkey,  though 
they  searched  all  the  localities  Mr,  Farman  mentions ;  and 
Mr,  Alleon  did  not  obtain  it,  either  near  Constantinople  or 
in  the  Dobrudscha, 

MiLVUS  REGALIS. 

Like  the  Common  Buzzard,  the  Red  Kite  is  a  bird  ex- 
clusively confined  to  the  western  Paleearctic  Region.  It  is 
rare  in  Russia,  where  it  is  found  only  in  the  w^estern  and 
south-western  parts  of  the  country. 

It  breeds  in  Livonia  and  Western  Courland,  but  it  only 
occasionally  occurs  in  Esthonia.  Mr.  Taczanovsky  records 
the  Red  Kite  as  being  common  and  migratory  in  Poland, 
and  this  bird  probably  breeds  in  the  district  of  Belsk  (in  the 


310  M,  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

Government  of  Grodno)  ;  but  it  is  a  very  rare  accidental 
visitor  to  Central  Kussia,  being  found  there  only  as  far  east 
as  tlie  Governments  of  Tula  and  of  Orel.  In  the  southern 
portions  of  Russia  the  Red  Kite  doubtless  breeds  in  the  dis- 
trict of  Uman  (in  the  Government  of  Kiev),  in  the  district 
of  Balta  (in  the  Government  of  Podolsk),  near  the  Dnieper, 
and.  generally  in  the  steppes  of  the  Black  Sea  west  of  the 
Dnieper.  In  the  last-mentioned  part  of  Russia  and  in  Bess- 
arabia the  Red  Kite  is  very  common,  though  it  is  seen  but 
rarely  in  the  Crimea. 

Mr.  Severtzov,  in  his  '  Fauna  of  the  Government  of  Vo- 
ronesh,'  says  the  Red  Kite  was  observed  by  him  several 
times  in  that  country ;  but  Mr.  Severtzov  now  tells  me 
that  he  was  probably  mistaken,  and  that  the  Red  Kites  of  his 
'  Fauna '  were  only  rufous  and  deeply  forked-tailed  examples 
of  Milvus  ater.  Pallas  says  the  Red  Kite  winters  on 
the  Lower  Volga  ;  according  to  Eversmann  it  occasionally 
occurs  about  the  lower  part  of  this  river ;  and  Mr.  Sa])aneev 
states  that  he  has  seen  several  Red  Kites,  amongst  hundreds 
of  Milvus  ater,  flying  towards  some  dead  animals  in  the 
Kaslinsky  Ural.  But  it  is  a  mistake  :  no  one  has  ever  seen 
Red  Kites  in  the  country  between  the  Government  of  Tula, 
the  Ural  Mountains,  and  the  Lower  Volga ;  not  one  skin  of 
Milvus  regalis  has  ever  been  obtained  from  Russia  east  of 
the  Don. 

"  Kites  were  observed  at  Cholmogory  and  elsewhere,  usually 
near  towns  and  villages,^^  Messrs.  Alston  and  Harvie  Brown 
inform  us,  in  their  ^  Notes  from  Archangel.'  ^'We  did  not 
obtain  any  specimens,  but  believe  them  to  have  been  of  this 
species  [M.  regalis),  ^hxch  was  the  one  procured  by  Lilljeborg 
and  Meves.^'  I  ought  to  say  that  Messrs.  Lilljeborg  and 
Meves  procured  in  North  Russia  only  Milvus  ater ;  and  as 
Milvus  regalis  certainly  does  not  exist  in  Finland,  I  think  the 
Milvus  regalis  of  Messrs.  Alston  and  Harvie  Brown  is  really 
our  common  Milvus  ater. 

Milvus  ater. 

The  Black  Kite  is  very  common  throughout  the  whole  of 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  311 

Southern  and  Central  Russia^  and  is  not  uncommon  in  the 
middle  portion  of  Northern  Russia,  from  the  Upper  Volga 
to  Archangel,  and  from  Lake  Onega  to  the  Dvina.  In  Fin- 
land it  is  only  an  occasional  visitor  to  the  northern  and 
north-eastern  shores  of  the  Gulf  of  Finland,  and  was  never 
obtained  in  any  other  part  of  the  country,  being  very  rare 
near  the  western  coast  of  Lake  Onega.  From  the  Dvina  to 
the  Ural  Mountains  its  breeding-limit  is  unknown ;  but  in 
the  last-mentioned  mountains  it  is  found  as  far  north  as  the 
Bogoslovsky  Ural. 

Eastwards  from  the  Ural  Mountains  the  Black  Kite  is 
found  as  far  as  Semirechje;  but,  on  the  authority  of  Mr. 
Severtzov,  it  is  rare  in  that  country  in  comparison  with 
Milvus  govinda,  which  is  distributed  as  far  west  as  the  Ural 
Mountains.  The  proportionate  number  of  the  two  species 
in  the  country  between  the  Ural  Mountains  and  Semirechje 
is  distinctly  contrasted,  Milvus  govinda  being  rare  near  the 
eastern  slopes  of  the  Ural,  and  becoming  more  and  more 
common  as  it  approaches  Semirechje;  Milvus  ater  being 
common  in  the  Ural  and  near  it,  but  becoming  more  and 
more  rare  in  proportion  as  it  retreats  from  the  same  country. 

In  the  Ural  Mountains,  amongst  the  typical  specimens  of 
the  Black  Kite  are  found  many  specimens  of  a  Kite  with 
intermediate  characters  between  the  two  extremes — Milvus 
ater  and  M.  govinda ;  and  a  specimen  of  the  same  character 
was  obtained  in  the  Government  of  Kostroma,  where  Milvus 
govinda  had  never  been  found.  East  of  the  Ural  Mountains 
are  found  specimens  which  are  between  the  intermediate 
form  and  one  of  the  two  extremes,  Milvus  govinda  •  but  speci- 
mens between  the  intermediate  form  and  the  other  extreme, 
Milvus  ater,  have  never  been  obtained,  though  the  latter  is 
distributed  throughout  that  country  as  well  as  its  more 
eastern  representative.  On  that  ground  it  is  very  possible 
that  these  specimens  are  not  produced  by  the  interbreeding 
of  the  two  extremes,  but  represent  the  not  extinct  inter- 
mediate form  between  Milvus  ater  and  Milvus  govinda,  which 
are  only  subspecifically  distinct. 

In  the  western  parts  of  Russia  the  Black   Kite  breeds, 


312  M.  Menzbier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

togetlier  with  the  Red  Kite,  but  is  very  rare  in  some  districts 
of  that  country.  In  the  Baltic  provinces  it  nests  in  the 
eastern  part  of  Livonia,  and  is  a  rare  breeding  bird  in  Cour- 
land  ;  but  it  is  only  occasionally  found  throughout  the  other 
parts  of  the  country,  where  the  Red  Kite  is  more  common. 
In  Poland,  according  to  Mr.  Taczanovsky,  the  Black  Kite  is 
more  common  east  of  the  A^istula,  and  the  Red  Kite,  on  the 
contrary,  is  more  common  west  of  that  river.  More  to  the 
souths  in  South-western  Russia,  and  near  the  northern  coast 
of  the  Black  Sea,  the  bird  generally  is  common,  but  in  tlie 
Crimea  it  is  found  only  on  migration. 

MiLVUS  GOVINDA. 

Since  the  publication  of  my  ^  Ornithological  Geography  '  I 
have  seen  a  very  typical  specimen  of  Milvus  yovinda  from  the 
Sercbrianka  river  (in  the  Government  of  Perm),  and  we  shall 
probably  be  obliged  to  enlarge  the  breeding-range  of  this 
Kite  as  far  w^est  as  the  western  slopes  of  the  Ural  Mountains. 
This  bird  has  been  found  throughout  the  whole  country  from 
Semirechje  to  the  last-mentioned  mountains. 

On  migration  Milvus  govinda  has  been  obtained  several 
times  by  Mr.  Alleon  on  the  Balkan  peninsula. 

Milvus  gi.aucopus. 

The  Blue-footed  Kite  was  discovered  by  Eversmann.  In 
colouring  and  dimensions  it  is  a  very  near  relative  of  Milvus 
govinda,  from  which  it  can  be  easily  distinguished  by  having 
blue  feet  and  a  blue  cere.  Mr.  Severtzov  supposes  it  is  an 
atavistic  form  of  Milvus  yovinda. 

We  know  at  present  of  but  very  few  specimens  of  this  bird, 
obtained  in  the  Government  of  Orenburg,  in  Ust-Urt,  and 
about  the  Lake  Zaysan. 

ASTUR  PALUMBARIUS. 

The  Goshawk  is  distributed  throughout  almost  the  whole 
of  Russia,  from  the  limit  of  forest-growth  in  the  north  to  the 
Black  Sea,  the  Caucasus,  and  the  Caspian  Sea  in  the  south. 
Generally  it  is  nowhere  very  common ;  but  in  the  central  and 
northern  governments  it  is  more  common  than  in  the  other 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  313 

parts   of  the  country,   but  is  very  rare  near   its    northern 
breeding-limit  and  in  Southern  Russia. 

It  is  resident  in  every  part  of  its  breeding-range,  with  the 
exception  of  the  extreme  north,  where  it  is  partially  migra- 
tory. In  North-east  Russia,  from  the  Government  of  Kos- 
troma to  the  Ural  Mountains,  and  probably  more  east, 
amongst  the  typical  specimens  of  the  Goshawk  are  found 
birds  with  a  more  or  less  developed  white  colour.  Some 
specimens  of  this  variety  are  all  over  of  a  very  light  colour, 
al  most  white ;  others,  being  generally  of  the  normal  grey,  have 
large  white  spots  on  different  parts  of  their  plumage.  This 
albinoid  variety  is  probably  produced  by  the  difference  of 
climate  of  North-eastern  Russia  in  comparison  with  that  of 
Western  Europe ;  and  I  think  these  more  or  less  white  speci- 
mens show  us  that  the  same  relation  exists  between  Astur 
palumbarius  and  Astu7'  candidissimus  as  between  Poecile  pa- 
lustris  and  Poecile  kamtschatkensis,  Picus  major  and  Picus 
major  kamtschatkensis,  Picus  minor  and  Picus  minor  kamt- 
schatkensis, &c. 

Astur  brevipes. 

The  breeding-range  of  the  Levant  Sparrow-Hawk  in  Russia 
appears  to  be  very  little  known. 

On  the  authority  of  Mr.  Karelin  it  is  rare  in  the  country 
about  the  Ural  river ;  and  Mr.  Henke  tells  us  that  it  is 
occasionally  found  breeding  in  the  poplars,  in  the  vineyards 
near  Astrakhan.  According  to  Mr.  Severtzov  it  breeds  and 
is  a  partial  resident  in  the  Government  of  Voronesh.  I  think 
I  have  seen  the  Levant  Sparrow-Hawk  several  times  in  the 
Crimea,  on  the  south  coast,  in  July  and  August  of  1882 ;  but 
as  it  was  not  obtained,  it  was  impossible  to  identify  the  bird. 

According  to  Mr.  Severtzov  it  is  found  during  the  autumn 
migration  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ural  river. 

ACCIPITER  NISUS. 

Like  the  Goshawk,  the  Sparrow-Hawk  is  distributed 
throughout  the  whole  wooded  country  of  Russia,  but  is  a 
more  regular  visitor  than  that  bird.  The  northern  examples 
do  not  pass  the  winter  in  their  breeding-range  and  regularly 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  2  a 


314  M.  Mcnzljier  on  the  Birds  of  European 

migrate  southwards  daring  the  autumn ;  those  from  Middle 
llussia  arc  only  partially  migratory,  a  few  remaining  there 
throughout  the  whole  winter  ;  and  in  Southern  Russia  the 
bird  is  rare  during  the  summer,  and  is  more  common  on 
migration  and  in  the  winter. 

Generally  the  Sparrow-Hawk  is  more  common  everywhere 
than  the  Goshawk,  and  is  very  common  in  some  parts  of 
Central  Russia.  According  to  Mr.  Shatilov  it  is  resident  in 
the  Crimea. 

Strigiceps  cyaneus. 

The  Hen-Harrier  is  distributed  throughout  the  whole  of 
Russia  as  far  north  as  lat.  68°  and  69°^  but  is  very  rare 
near  its  northern  breeding-limit,  and  is  more  common  only 
south  of  lat.  62°.  This  bird  is  very  common  in  Central  and 
Southern  Russia. 

In  the  steppes  near  the  Lower  Ural  river,  the  Lower  Volga, 
in  the  steppes  of  New  Russia,  and  in  the  Crimea,  the  Hen- 
Harrier  is  found  during  the  whole  winter. 

Strigiceps  pallidus. 

The  Pallid  Harrier  breeds  only  throughout  the  southern 
parts  of  Russia,  but  as  an  irregular  straggler  it  is  found 
further  north.  According  to  Mr.  Sabaneev,  it  is  found  in 
the  steppes  south  of  Ekaterinburg ;  and  Mr.  Pleske  informs 
me  that  this  bird  is  common  in  the  district  of  Orenburg. 
On  the  authority  of  Mr.  Karelin  it  is  found  in  the  steppes 
near  the  Ural  river,  and  by  Mr.  Bogdanov  it  was  observed  in 
the  district  of  Balashev  (in  the  Government  of  Saratov),  in 
the  Government  of  Stavropol,  and  in  the  valleys  of  the  Terek 
and  Kuban.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  tlie  Government  of 
Voronesh,  is  found  in  the  Government  of  Kiev  and  near  the 
border  of  the  Government  of  Kherson,  and  breeds  throughout 
all  the  steppes  of  the  Black  Sea.  According  to  Mr.  Schatilov 
it  occurs  in  the  Crimea;  and  Mr.  Henke  tells  us  that  a  few 
specimens  of  this  species  are  found  all  the  year  round  at 
Astrakhan.  At  the  end  of  summer  I  have  several  times  ob- 
tained young  specimens  of  the  Pallid  Harrier  in  the  Govern- 
ments of  Orel  and  Tula,  and  Mr.  Lorenz  has  furnished  me  with 


Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus.  315 

specimens  from  the  Government  of  Moscow ;  but  I  tliink  it 
does  not  breed  tliercj  because  not  one  adult  specimen  liaa 
been  obtained  by  us  in  these  localities. 

According  to  Mr.  Mela  it  is  a  very  rare  and  accidental 
visitor  to  the  northern  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Finland. 

Strigiceps  cineraceus, 

Montagu's  Harrier  is  found  in  all  parts  of  Southern  and 
Middle  Russia.  In  the  Ural  Mountains  it  is  distributed  as  far 
north  as  Ekaterinburg  ;  in  the  country  between  Ekaterinburg 
and  the  mouth  of  the  Kama  its  northern  breeding-limit  is 
unknown,  but  it  is  a  common  breeding  bird  in  the  district 
of  Birsk  (in  the  Government  of  Ufa).  According  to  Mr. 
Bogdanov  it  is  found  in  the  Government  of  Kazan.  On  the 
authority  of  Mr.  Pavlov,  Montagu's  Harrier  is  a  rare  breeding 
bird  in  the  Government  of  Riazan.  In  the  country  adjoining 
the  Government  of  Moscow  the  bird  is  rare,  though  it  breeds 
everywhere  in  suitable  localities.  According  to  Mr.  Russov 
it  breeds  in  the  Baltic  provinces.  Generally  its  northern 
breeding-limit  in  Central  Russia  is  represented  by  the  Volga 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Kanin  to  the  mouth  of  the  Mologa. 
In  the  country  between  the  mouth  of  the  last-mentioned 
river  and  the  Gulf  of  Finland  the  northern  breeding-limit  of 
Montagu's  Harrier  is  unknown;  but  the  species  is  found 
rarely  in  the  Governments  of  Tver  and  St.  Petersburg,  and 
strays  as  far  the  northern  coast  of  the  Gulf  of  Finland. 

A  few  examples  of  this  bird  are  found  all  the  year  round 
in  the  steppes  of  Southern  Russia  and  in  the  Crimea. 

Circus  ^ruginosus. 

The  Marsh-Harrier  is  distributed  throughout  the  whole  of 
Russia  as  far  north  as  Archangel,  with  the  exception  of  Lap- 
land, Finland,  and  the  north-eastern  country  from  the  Dvina 
to  the  Ural  Mountains,  but  it  is  rare  north  of  the  Volga.  In 
the  Ural  Mountains  its  northern  breeding-limit  is  about 
lat.  58°.  In  some  parts  of  Middle  and  Southern  Russia  this 
bird  is  very  common.  In  the  steppes  of  Southern  Russia  a 
few  Marsh-Harriers  are  found  all  the  year  round. 


2a2 


316  Mr.  R.  B.  Sliarpc  on  Birds 

XXXIV. — On  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  in  Southern  Pala- 
wan by  Mr.  E.  Lempriere.  By  B.  Bowdler  Siiarpe, 
F.L.S.^  F.Z.S.,  &c.,  Department  of  Zoology,  British 
Museum. 

(Plate  VIII.) 

The  contributions  to  our  knowledge  of  tlie  avifauna  of  the 
island  of  Palawan  are  two  in  number,  viz. : — my  own  paper 
on  the  birds  collected  by  Professor  J.  B.  Steere  in  the  Philip- 
pine archipelago,  published  in  the  ^Transactions  of  theLinneau 
Society '  (second  series.  Zoology,  vol.  i.  pp.  307-355)  ;  and 
Lord  Tweeddale's  account  of  the  collections  made  by  Mr. 
Everett  (P.  Z.  S.  1878,  pp.  611-621).  The  chief  interest 
attaching  to  Mr,  Lempriere^s  collection  arises  from  the  fact 
that  it  has  been  made  in  a  portion  of  the  island  yet  unvisited, 
and  that,  as  will  be  seen,  it  not  only  contains  examples  of 
many  of  the  species  discovered  by  Professor  Steere  and  Mr. 
Everett,  but  also  brings  to  our  knowledge  one  or  two  un- 
described  kinds  of  birds. 

Cacatua  H/EMaturopygia  (Miill.). 

Cacatua   hcumaturopygia    (Midi.) ;     Sharpe,   t.  c.   p.  312  ; 
Wardlaw  Eamsay,  Orn.  Works  Marq.  Tweed,  p.  655. 
New  to  Palawan. 

Tanygnathus  luconensis  (L.). 

Tanygnathus  luconensis  (L.)  ;  Sharpe,  /.  c.  p.  312  ;  Tweedd. 
t.  c.  p.  612;  Wardlay  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  655. 
Procured  by  Prof.  Steere  and  Mr.  Everett. 

Centrococcyx  eurycercus  (Blyth). 

Centrococcyx  eurycercus  (Blyth)  ;    Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  614  ; 
Wardlaw  Ramsay,  /,  c.  p.  656. 
Found  also  by  Mr.  Everett. 

Dryococcyx  harrtngtoni,  Sharpe. 

Phcenicophaes  harringtoni,  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  613;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  656. 

Several  specimens.  This  species  was  discovered  by  Prof. 
Steere,  and  afterwards  found  by  Mr.  Everett  at  Puerto 
Princesa. 


]jDis,1884,PlVm. 


J  Ct  Keulemajis  litii 


ILmiiaj-t.   iiiip 


THRIPONA^    HARGITTi 


collected  in  Southern  Palawan.  317 

Lord  Tvveeddale  was  inclined  to  regard  the  structnral 
difference  in  the  nostrils  as  of  specific  rather  than  generic 
importance. 

Chrysocolaptes  erythrocephalus^  Sharpe. 
C/irysocolaptes  erythrocephalus,  Sharpe,  t.  c.  p. 315 ;  Tweedd. 
t.  c.  p.  612;  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  655. 
A  fine  adult  male. 

TiGA  EVERETTI,  TwCcdd. 

Tiga  everetti,  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  612  ;  Wardlaw  Ramsay, 
/.  c.  p.  655. 

Tigajavanensis,  Sharpe,  t.c.  p.  315  (nee  Ljungh). 

It  will  be  noticed  that  in  my  paper  on  Prof.  Steere^s  birds 
I  doubted  the  identity  of  the  Palawan  Tiga  with  the  Bornean 
T.javanensis.  The  only  specimen  brought  by  Prof.  Steere 
from  Palawan  was  in  poor  condition,  and  I  did  not  like  to 
separate  the  bird  specifically ;  but  Lord  Twecddale  has  since 
named  it  Tiga  everetti,  and  Mr.  Lempriere's  series  amply 
confirms  the  distinctness  of  the  Palawan  species. 

Thriponax  hargitti,  sp.  n.  (Plate  VIII.) 
Thriponax  javensis,T^i.;  Sharpe, /.  c.  p.  314. 
Three  specimens  of  this  large  black  Woodpecker,  which  I 
am  afraid  I  wrongly  identified  in  1876,  when  Prof.  Steere 
procured  in  Palawan  an  example  which  I  referred  to  T.  ja- 
vensis.  On  showing  Mr.  Lemprit^re's  skins  to  my  friend  Mr. 
Hargitt,  the  latter  gentleman  pointed  out  to  me  that  they 
could  not  belong  to  T.javensis,  as  they  had  a  white  rump, 
whereas  T.  javensis  is  entirely  black  above.  The  white 
rump  is  a  character  peculiar  to  a  section  of  the  genus  Thri- 
ponax,  and  therefore  the  nearest  ally  of  the  Palawan  Black 
Woodpecker  is  Thriponax  feddeni  of  Burmah.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  distinguished  from  the  latter  species  by  its  jjerfectly 
black  primaries.  The  Palawan  Woodpecker  may  therefore 
be  diagnosed  as  follows  : — 

Thriponax  hargitti,  sp.  n. 
T,  similis   T.  feddeni,  sed  primariis  basaliter  nigris  distin- 
guendus  :  long.  tot.  16-5,  culmen  2'15,  alae  8-3,  caudae 
6-6,  tarsi  1-45. 


318  Mr.  R.  B.  Sliarpc  on  Birds 

I  have  ventured  to  attach  to  this  species  the  name  of 
Mr.  Edward  llargitt^  who  is  doing  such  excellent  work  with 
the  Picidse. 

AlCEDO  BENGALENSIS,   Gm. 

Alcedo  bengalensis,  Gm.  ;  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  655. 
New  to  Palawan. 

Pelargopsis  leucocephala  (Gm.). 

Pelargopsis  leucocephala  (Gm.);  Sharpe^  t.  c.  p.  317;  Ward- 
law  Ramsay^  t.  c.  p.  G55. 

Two  specimens.     Found  by  Prof.  Stecre  in  the  island. 

Ceyx  rufidorsa^  Strickl. 

Ceycc  rufidoi'sa,  Strickl.;  Sharpe^  Monogr.  Alced.  pi.  41. 

New  to  the  Philippine  group. 

CORONE  PUSILLA   (Twccdd.). 

Corvus  pusillus,  Tweedd.  I.e.  p.  622;  Wardlaw  Ramsay, 
/.  c.  p.  658. 

Several  specimens  in  the  collection,  I  think,  in  contra- 
vention to  the  opinion  of  the  late  Lord  Tweeddale,  that 
this  is  one  of  the  races  of  C.  euca.  The  wing  varies  from 
9-3  to  10-4. 

BUCHANGA  LEUC0PH.EA    (V.)  . 

Buchanga  leucophcua  (V.)  ;  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  615  ;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  656. 

Buchanga  cineracea,  Sharpc,  /.  c.  p.  324. 

Already  obtained  in  Palawan  by  Prof.  Steere  and  Mr. 
Everett. 

Chibia  palawanensis  (Tweedd.). 

Dicrurus  palawanensis,  Tweedd.  /.  c.  p.  614 ;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  656. 

This  species  appears  to  me  to  be  distinct,  as  the  speci- 
mens bear  out  the  observations  of  Lord  Tweeddale,  who 
possessed  a  special  knowledge  of  these  puzzling  birds.  The 
lanceolate  spangles  on  the  fore  neck,  however,  will  distinguish 
it  from  C.  pectoralis,  like  which  species  it  has  the  throat 
unspotted. 


collected  in  Southern  Palawan.  319 

OrIOLUS  PALAWAN  en  sis. 

Broderipus  palawanensis,  Tweedd.  /.  c,  p.  616;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  657. 

Three  specimens,  which  bear  out  the  characters  of  the 
species  as  defined  by  Lord  Tweeddale.  In  two  of  them  the 
wing  measures  5'9  inches,  in  the  third  5'6. 

Artamides  sumatrensis  (S.  Miill.). 

Artamides  sumatrensis  (S.  Miill.)  ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  iv. 
p.  12. 

Graucalus  sumatrensis,  Sharpe,  i.  c.  p.  323  ;  Tweedd.  t.  c. 
p.  614. 

Examples  of  both  sexes  are  in  the  collection. 

Pericrocotus  igneus,  Blyth. 

Pericrocotus  igneus,  Blyth ;  Sharpe,  t.  c.  p.  324 ;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  656. 

Found  only  by  Prof.  Steere,  and  not  by  Mr.  Everett. 

Pericrocotus  cinereus,  Lafresn, 

Pericrocotus  cinereus,  Lafresn. ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  iv.  p.  83 ; 
Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  656. 

Recorded  by  Capt.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  in  his  Systematic 
Catalogue  as  from  Palawan,  but  I  do  not  know  on  what 
authority,  as  neither  Prof.  Steere  nor  Mr.  Everett  met 
with  it. 

SiPHIA  LEMPRIERI,  Sp.  U. 

Adult  male.  General  colour  above  dull  blue,  with  half- 
concealed  tufts  of  white  on  the  sides  of  the  rump;  lesser 
wing-coverts  brighter  cobalt,  forming  a  shoulder-patch; 
median  and  greater  series  blackish,  externally  like  the  back ; 
bastard  wing,  primary-coverts,  and  quills  black,  with  narrow 
margins  of  dull  blue,  broader  on  the  secondaries ;  tail-fea- 
thers blackish,  greenish  blue  externally ;  head  like  the  back, 
the  base  of  the  forehead  brighter  cobalt,  extending  backwards 
over  the  eye  and  forming  an  eyebrow  ;  lores  black  ;  sides  of 
face  and  ear-coverts  and  cheeks  black,  glossed  with  dull  blue ; 
a  moustachial  line  of  blue  feathers  tipped  with  white ;  a  black 
chin-spot ;  throat  and  fore  neck  orange-buff,  extending  down 


820  Mr.  R.  B.  Sliarpe  on  Birds 

the  sides  of  the  body,  but  paler,  and  inclining  to  whitish 
below  the  black  chin-spot;  centre  of  breast  and  abdonien 
white,  as  also  the  under  tail-coverts,  with  a  slight  tinge  of 
buff;  lateral  breast-feathers  tipped  with  blue,  like  the  back ; 
thighs  white,  with  blackish  bases  ;  axillaries  and  under  wing- 
coverts  white,  slightly  tinged  with  buff ;  edge  of  wing  blue. 
Total  length  5'9  inches,  culmen  0"7,  wing  2"9,  tail  2"5, 
tarsus  0'7. 

This  species  is  closely  allied  to  Siphia  phiUppensis,  but  is 
much  larger,  of  a  more  greenish  blue,  and  is  especially  dis- 
tinguished by  the  white  moustache,  forming  a  narrow  line 
down  each  side  of  the  throat. 

Zeocephus  cyanescens,  Sharpe. 

Zeocephus  cyanescens",  Sharpe,  t.  c.  p.  328,  pi.  48.  fig.  2 ; 
id.  Cat.  B.  iv.  p.  343. 

A  single  specimen  of  what  I  believe  to  be  the  female  of 
this  species.  It  is  like  a  huge  Hypothywis,  but  I  believe  it 
to  be  really  the  other  sex  of  Z.  cyanescens. 

General  colour  above  dark  vinaceous  brown,  rather  clearer 
on  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts ;  wing-coverts  duller 
brown,  the  greater  series  externally  edged  with  vinaceous 
brown ;  quills  dark  brown,  externally  margined  with  reddish 
brown,  much  paler  and  more  tawny  rufous  along  the  outer 
webs  of  the  secondaries;  tail-feathers  dull  rufous,  browner 
on  the  edges ;  head  crested,  dull  cyaneous,  more  dusky  in 
front  of  the  eye  ;  sides  of  face,  cheeks,  and  under  surface  of 
body  from  the  throat  to  the  breast  pale  ashy  cyaneous,  dull 
whitish  on  the  flanks  and  under  tail-coverts,  with  a  faint 
vinous  tinge ;  sides  of  neck  dull  cyaneous,  washed  with 
brown ;  axillaries  light  fulvous ;  under  Aving-coverts  dark 
brown,  washed  with  dull  blue;  quills  dusky  brown  below, 
ashy  fulvous  along  the  edge  of  the  inner  web.  Total  length 
6'8  inches,  culmen  0*8,  wing  3*35,  tail  3'35,  tarsus  0'7. 

Lord  Tweeddale,  in  describing  his  Trichostoma  rufifrons 
(P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  616),  suggests  that  Z.  cyanescens  may  be 
congeneric  with  T.  rufifrons.  I  have  described  and  classified 
the  Timeliidae  since  that  time,  and  find  that  T.  rufifrons  is  a 


collected  in  Southern  Palawan.  321 

Turdinus  (Cat.  B,  vii.  p.  546),  while  Zeocephas  is  a  true  Fly- 
catcher,  nearly  allied  to  Terpsiphone. 

Irena  TWEEDDALii,  Sliarpe. 

Irena  tiveeddalii,  Sharpe,  t.  c.  p.  333  ;  id.  Cat.  B.  vi.  p.  178 ; 
Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  657. 

Several  specimens  of  both  sexes.  Mr.  Everett  does  not 
appear  to  have  met  with  it. 

Anuropsis  cinereiceps  (Tweedd.). 

Anuropsis  cinereiceps  (Tweedd.) ;  Sharpe,  Cat.  B.  vii.  p.  590. 
Drijmocataphus  cinereiceps,  Tweedd.  t.c.  p.  617;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  657. 

Two  specimens  in  full  plumage. 

CiNNYRis  AURORA  (Twccdd.)  ;  Shelley,  Monogr.  Nect. 
pi.  47.  fig.  1 ;  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  /.  c.  p.  658. 

Cyrtostomus  aurora,  Tweedd,  /.  c.  p.  620. 

Some  specimens  of  this  beautiful  species  are  in  the 
collection. 

HiRUNDO  JAVANiCA,  Sparrm. 

Hirundojavanica,  Sparrm.;  Tweedd.  t.c.  p.  615  ;  Ward- 
law  Ramsay,  /.  c.  p.  657. 
One  specimen. 

EULABES  JAVANENSIS,   Osb. 

Eulabes javanensis,  Osb.;  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  658. 
Gracula javanensis,  Tweedd.  t.c.  p.  622. 
Procured  also  by  Prof.  Steere  and  Mr.  Everett. 

Calornis  panayensis  (Scop.). 

Calornis  panayensis  (Scop.)  ;  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  622 ;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  658. 

Found  also  by  Mr.  Everett  and  Prof.  Steere. 

Pitta  sordida  (Mtill.).  • 

Brachyurus  sordidus,  Sharpc,  t.c.  p.  331. 
Melanopitta  sordida,  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  949;  Wardlaw  Ramsay, 
/.  c.  p.  657. 

One  specimen  sent. 


322         Count  T,  Salvudori  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth 

Carpopiiaga  iENEAj  Tick. 

Carpojjhaga  cenea,  Tick.;  Twcedd.  t.c.  p.  G23;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  659. 

Observed  by  Mr.  Everett  at  Puerto  Princesa. 

Ptilopus  melanocepiialus  (Forst.). 

Ptilopus  melanocephalus  (Forst.)  ;  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  951  ; 
Wardlaw  Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  659. 

New  to  Palawan,  but  known  from  South  Mindanao,  Ba- 
silan,  and  the  Sulu  Islands. 

Megapodius  cumingi,  Dillw. 

Megapodius  cumingi,  Dillw. ;  Tweedd.  /.  c.  p.  624. 

Two  specimens.     See  Lord  Tweeddale^'s  remarks,  /.  c. 

i^GIALTTIS  PERONI    (Tcmm.)  . 

jEgialitis peronii  (Temm.) ;  Tweedd.  t.  c.  p.  344;  Wardlaw 
Ramsay,  t.  c.  p.  659. 

This  species  was  found  by  Mr.  Everett  in  Leyte  and  Bohoh 
Is  this  the  ^gialitis  cantianus  of  Lord  Tweeddale  (P.  Z.  S. 
1878,  p.  624)  ? 

JjIgialitis  geoffroyi,  Wagl. 

Eudromias  geoffroyi,  Tweedd.  t.  c.  pp.  344,  624. 

Found  by  Mr.  Everett  at  Puerta  Princesa. 


XXXV. — Remarks  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth  Volumes  of  the 
'  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  British  Museum.'  By  T. 
Salvador:,  C.M.Z.S,  For.  Memb.  B.O.U. 

The  eighth  and  ninth  volumes  of  the  '  Catalogue  of  the  Birds 
in  the  British  Museum '  have  been  prepared  by  Mr.  Gadow. 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  write  a  complete  critical  review 
of  them,  but  only  to  proffer  some  remarks  especially  on 
those  points  in  which  I  am  concerned,  or  which  are  well 
known  to  me,  as  relating  mostly  to  Papuan  species. 

The  eighth  volume  contains  the  Paridse,  Laniidae,  and 
Certhiomorphse. 

In  the  Introduction  (p.  viii)  Mr.  Gadow  mentions  the 
names  of  eight "  gentlemen,  who  by  the  loan  of  specimens  have 


Volumes  of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  323 

considerably  facilitated  the  completion  of  the  volume."  Cer- 
tainly it  would  have  been  too  great  an  honour  for  me  to  have 
had  my  name  united  with  theirs ;  but  still  I  do  not  understand 
why  Mr.  Gadow  should  have  omitted  it  entirely,  as,  besides 
the  type  of  Lanius  antinorii,  I  sent  for  inspection  to  the 
British  Museum  a  complete  set  of  all  the  Pachycephaline 
birds  belonging  to  Beccari's  and  D'Albertis's  Papuan  collec- 
tions, every  specimen  being  properly  named.  Several  of 
them  were  type  specimens,  and  I  suppose  that  Mr.  Gadow 
must  have  derived  some  benefit  from  their  examination. 

Coming  now  to  some  particular  points,  we  find  that  Mala- 
conotus  hypopyrrhus,  Hartl.,  has  been  united  with  Laniarius 
poliocephalus  (p.  15G).  I  know  that  several  ornithologists 
agree  in  this ;  but  according  to  my  idea  the  two  birds  are 
distinct.  Heuglin  has  already  remarked  (Orn.  N.O.-Afr. 
p.  466)  that  among  many  specimens  collected  by  him  in 
North-east  Africa  none  had  the  orange  tint  on  the  breast, 
which  is  peculiar  to  L.  hypopyrrhus.  I  may  add  that 
Antinori^s  first  African  collection  (Cat.  p.  54)  contained  five 
specimens  from  Djur,  three  males  and  two  females,  and  no)ie 
had  the  orange  breast  like  the  two  specimens  which  he  has 
lately  sent  from  Shoa.  Leaving  that  question,  and  admitting 
for  a  moment  that  L.  hypopyrrhus (Kartl.)  is  =  L. poliocephalus, 
it  seems  very  curious  to  find  that  while  L.  hypopyrrhus  was 
described  in  1844,  Mr.  Gadow  should  use  now  (p.  155)  the 
same  name  for  another  species,  viz.  Vanga  cruenta,  Less, 
(nee  Lanius  cruentus,  H.  et  E.)  !  I  therefore  propose  for 
Lesson^s  species  the  name  of  Laniarius  lessoni. 

I  have  been  much  astonished  at  the  curious  mixture  of 
Pachycephala  macrorhyncha,  Strickl.,  and  P.  obiensis,  Salvad. 
with  P.  melanura,  Gould,  in  Mr.  Gadow's  volume  (p.  185). 
I  believe  that  Mr.  Sharpe,  in  his  Report  of  the  '  Alert,^  is 
about  to  settle  those  birds  in  their  proper  places  again. 
Mr.  Gadow,  notwithstanding  Canon  Tristram's  remarks  and 
my  acquiescence  with  them,  unites  P.  christophori,  Tristr. 
with  P.  astrolabi !  * 

*  In  the  course  of  some  remarks  made  before  the  Zoological  Society 
of  Loudon,  Canou  Tristram  has,  I  believe,  already  objected  to  this  aud 
other  identificatious  made  by  Mr.  Gadow, 


324  Count  T.  Salvadori  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth 

The  insular  forius  P.  jobiensis  and  P.  miosnomensis  ai*e 
united  with  P.  (jriseiceps  (p.  215),  although  sufficiently 
distinct.  I  must  also  protest  against  calling  the  Musci- 
trea  cyanea,  Hume  (p.  22-1),  P.  cyanea,  there  being  already 
a  Pachycephala  cyanea  of  mine,  especially  as  Mr.  Gadow 
could  have  chosen  for  Mr.  Hume^s  species  one  of  the  two 
other  names  belonging  to  it.  I  do  not  see  much  use  in 
having  a  figure  (pi.  ix.)  of  Pachycephala  poliosoma,  as  this 
species  has  already  been  figured  in  the  '  Birds  of  New 
Guinea/  pt.  xiii.  Mr.  Gadow  could  have  bestowed  one  of 
his  plates  on  a  species  not  yet  figured. 

In  concluding  my  remarks  on  Mr.  Gadow's  eighth  volume 
of  the  Catalogue,  I  may  say  that  I  have  failed  to  find  in  it 
any  mention  of  the  following  species  : — 

1st.  Lanius  dorsalis,  Cab.  Journ.  f.  Orn.  1878,  pp.  205, 
225,  which  most  likely  is  the  same  as  my  Lanius  antinorii, 
and  which  has  already  been  mentioned  several  times  (Ibis, 
1879,  pp.  104,  354;  Journ.  f.  Orn.  1879,  p.  213;  Oust.  Note 
s.  1.  Ois.  ComaUs,  p.  10,  1882). 

2nd.  Lanius  gubernator ,  Hartl.  Orn.  Centralbl.  1882,  p.  91 ; 
id.  Journ.  f.  Orn.  1882,  pp.  323,  350,  Taf.  i.  f.  2. 

3rd.  Lanius  pyrrhostictus,  Ilolub  et  Pelz.  Beitr.  Orn.  Sud- 
afr.  p.  97,  Taf.  ii.  (1882)  ;  Pelz.  Verb,  zool.-bot.  Gesellsch. 
Wien,  1882,  p.  505 ;  Hartl.  Abb.  naturw.  Ver.  Brem.  1882, 
p.  224. 

The  last  is,  most  likely,  only  the  female  of  Lanius  col- 
laris. 

These  omissions  (and  perhaps  there  may  be  others  Avhich 
now  escape  me)  show  clearly  that  Mr.  Gadow  is  not  very  well 
acquainted  with  ornithological  literature. 

The  second  volume  by  Mr.  Gadow  contains  the  Nectari- 
niidse  and  the  Meliphagidse ;  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  that  in 
treating  of  the  former  he  has  only  succeeded  in  spoiling 
the  good  work  done  by  Capt.  Shelley  in  his  excellentMono- 
graph  of  that  family,  and  that  as  regards  the  Meliphagidae, 
Mr.  Gadow  has  done  as  much  as  he  could  to  reduce  them 
to  a  very  sad  state  of  confusion,  having  destroyed  the  little 
order  I  tried  to  introduce  among  them  while  treating  in  my 


Volumes  of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  325 

'' Ornitologia  ^  of  more  than  a  hundred  species — that  is  to 
say,  nearly  half  the  known  ones. 

As  regards  the  Nectariniidae,  Mr.  Gadow  recognizes  only  as 
races  Nectarinia  bocagei,  N.  cupreonitens,  Mtliopifga  cava, 
JE.  nicobarica,  and  JE.  horsfieldi ;  and  perhaps  he  may  have 
some  apparent  reason,  although  to  my  mind,  several  of  these 
are  entitled  to  specific  rank  as  much  as  many  others  recognized 
as  distinct  by  Mr.  GadoAV.  According  to  my  idea  the  genus 
Eudrepanis,  if  not  Urodrepanis,  ought  to  be  kept  separate 
from  Mthopyga.  Under  C'mnyris  venusta  Mr.  Gadow  unites 
four  races,  which  Capt.  Shelley  separates  as  species.  C.  osiris, 
C.  erythroceria,  C.  bifasciata,  and  C  microrhyncha  are  united 
with  C.  mariquensis ;  C.  andamanica  with  C.  flammaxillaris  ; 
C.  frenata  with  C.  jugularis ;  C.  ac'ik  with  (7.  senegalensis ; 
C.  kirki  with  C.  amethystina ;  Anthotlireptes  hypodila  and 
A.  zambesiana  with  A.  collaris ;  and  A.  celebensis,  A.  rho- 
dolmna,  and  A.  chlorogaster  with  A.  malaccensis ! 

But  Mr.  Gadow  has  made  still  greater  havoc  in  the 
Hermotimia  group.  While  twelve  species  (leaving  out  H. 
grayi)  and  three  subspecies  have  been  admitted  by  Captain 
Shelley,  who  ought  to  know  something  about  them,  Mr. 
Gadow  has  reduced  them  to  three  only  !  Even  allowing  that 
H.  morotensis  may  not  be  sufficiently  distinct  from  H.  auriceps, 
H.  salvadorii  from  H.  nigriscajndaris,  and  //.  aspasioides, 
Cornelia,  corinna,  mysorensis,  jobiensis,  and  even  maforensis 
from  H.  aspasia,  I  should  like  to  ask  anybody  who  knows 
anything  about  birds  if  H.  auricep)S  and  H.  porphyrol(emay 
with  the  metallic  portion  of  the  plumage  (except  the  head)  o£ 
a  very  dark  steel-blue,  can  be  united  with  H.  aspasia,  H, 
nigriscapularis ,  and  H.  proserpina,  which  have  the  metallic 
portion  of  the  plumage  golden  green  on  the  upper  tail- 
coverts  and  rump,  while  the  last  two  species  are  so  con- 
spicuously different  from  H.  aspasia,  wanting  the  bright 
golden-green  scapulars,  and  differ  inter  se  as  regards  the 
smaller  wing-coverts,  which  are  entirely  bright  bluish  green 
in  H.jjrosei'pina,  and  black,  except  a  few  on  the  angle  of  the 
wing,  in  H.  nigriscapularis. 

The  importance  of  all  these  differences  is  confirmed  by  the 


326         Count  T.  Salvador!  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth 

different  geographical  distribution  of  each  form,  and  would 
be  duly  appreciated  by  any  one  who  is  accustomed  to  dis- 
criminate allied  forms.  But  for  that  one  must  be  an  orni- 
thologist. Moreover,  while  our  author  has  tried  to  keep  as 
different  races  H.  aspasia  and  H.  a.^pasioides,  he  has  made  a 
great  confusion  as  regards  their  geographical  distribution. 
The  range  of  H.  aspasioides  is  given  (p.  71)  as  "  S.E.  New 
Guinea  and  New  Britain/'  whereas  it  was  described  from 
Amboyna,  and  it  is  confined  to  the  Amboyna  or  Ceram 
group  ;  and  among  the  localities  of  H.  aspasia  Mr.  Gadow 
includes  Amboyna,  where  that  form  has  never  been  found. 
In  fact  H.  aspasioides  is,  in  the  Ceram  group,  the  Moluccan 
representative  of  the  exclusively  Papuan  H.  aspasia. 

I  must  also  point  out  that  Mr.  G  adow  has  entirely  omitted 
Cyrtostomus  melanocephalas  (Ramsay)  from  the  Solomon 
Islands,  described  at  p.  2G9  of  the  second  volume  of  my 
'  Ornitologia  della  Papuasia  e  delle  Molucche,'  where,  besides 
the  description,  all  the  quotations  belonging  to  it  are  to  be 
found.  This  species  has  been  omitted  by  Caj)t.  Shelley  in 
his  Monograph,  and  so  has  escaped  the  notice  of  Mr.  Gadow, 
who  has  not  even  taken  the  trouble  of  looking  into  that  part 
of  my  work  relating  to  the  Nectariniidse,  which  he  has  most 
carefully  avoided  quoting. 

Passing  to  the  Meliphagidse,  the  first  species  we  find 
(p.  129)  is  Myzomela  guentheri  from  New  Britain,  described 
as  new,  while  most  certainly  it  is  the  same  as  my  Myzomela 
erythronielas,  of  which  there  is  no  mention  in  Mr.  Gadow's 
volume,  although  it  was  dcscriljed  by  me  in  1881  (Atti  R. 
Ac.  Sc.  Tor.  xvi.  p.  624),  mentioned  in  the  '  Annali  del  Museo 
Civico  di  Genova,'  xviii.  p.  424,  and  in  '  The  Ibis,'  1882,  p.  176, 
and  redescribed  in  the  third  part  of  my  '  Ornitologia,'  p.  541. 
M.  infuscata,  Salvad.,  a  representative  form  of  M.  erythro- 
cephala  in  the  Aru  Islands,  has  also  escaped  Mr.  Gadow's 
attention.  Myzomela  adolphin<B  is  regarded  as  a  repre- 
sentative form  of  M.  erythrocephala  (p.  134),  while  it  belongs 
to  a  different  group,  being  much  more  allied  to  M.  boiei  and 
M.  chloroptera.  With  M.  cruentata,  Meyer,  from  the  Arfak 
Mouutaius,  are  united  M.  coccinea,  Ramsay,  from  Duke  of 


Volumes  of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  327 

York  Islands,  and  M.  erythrina,  Ramsay,  from  New  Ireland ; 
but  I  have  examined  a  specimen  of  the  last,  and  it  is  cer- 
tainly distinct,  as  is  most  likely  M.  coccinea,  M.  rubro- 
brunnea,  Meyer,  and  M.  rubrotincta,  Salvad.,  are  perfectly 
distinct  from  M.  simplex,  of  which  Mr.  Gadow  considers  that 
they  are  only  subspecies. 

It  is  a  blessing  that  in  the  Catalogue  the  genus  Zosterops 
has  been  treated  of  by  Mr.  Sharpe,  as  otherwise  who  knows 
into  what  a  state  of  confusion  it  would  have  been  reduced  ! 

In  the  genus  Glycyphila  Mr.  Gadow  includes  the  genera 
GlycychcBra  and  ^tigmatops,  to  which  I  cannot  assent,  and 
also  unites  Stigmatops  chloris  and  S.  subocularis  with  Glycy- 
phila ocularis.  I  can  find  no  mention  of  my  Stigmatops  blasii 
from  Amboyna,  described  in  the  third  part  of  my  '  Orni- 
tologia,'  p.  543.  Most  likely  this  is  the  bird  from  Ceram 
mentioned  quite  recently  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Meyer  ('  Ueber  neue 
und  ungeniigend  bekannte  Vcigel,  Nester  und  Eier  aus  dem 
ostindischen  Archipel,'  p-  40)  as  Myzomela,  n.  sp. 

Treating  of  the  genus  Ptilotis,  there  are  many  points  where 
the  opinions  expressed  by  Mr.  Gadow  are  at  variance  with 
the  facts  established  by  me.  He  divides  P.  analoga  into 
three  races,  one  of  which,  P.  flavirictus,  I  still  regard  as 
specifically  distinct ;  the  so-called  southern  race,  with  the 
yellow  auricular  feathers  very  short,  is  to  be  found  also  in 
the  north. 

With  P.  albinotata,  Salvad.,  Mr.  Gadow  (p.  229)  unites 
P.  montana,  Salvad. ;  but  I  doubt  whether  he  has  ever  seen 
any  specimen  of  the  two,  and  I  shall  continue  to  believe  that 
they  are  really  distinct,  the  former  living  in  the  low  dis- 
tricts, and  P.  montana  in  the  mountains. 

In  the  genus  Plilotis  Mr.  Gadow  has  included  a  most 
natural  group,  which  has  been  separated  as  Xanthotis ;  the 
type  of  this  group  is  P.  chrysotis  (Less.).  I  have  seen  many 
specimens  of  this  bird,  also  from  Dorey  and  Andai,  and  none 
had  the  feathers  of  the  hind  neck  tipped  with  grey.  I  suspect 
that  the  specimen  from  Waigiou,  which  is  described  (p.  238) 
as  most  richly  coloured,  belongs  to  my  Xanthotis  fusciventris, 
regarded  as  a  subspecies  by  Mr.  Gadow,  who  has  wrongly 


328  Count  T.  Salvadori  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth 

translated  my  description  of  it.  I  said,  "  corpore  subtm  minhne 
rufescente  ....  ahdomme  griseo-fusco."  Minime  means  '^  not 
at  all,"  while  Mr.  Gadow  has  translated  it  "  less ;"  and  griseo- 
fusco  does  not  mean  that  the  abdomen  is  mottled,  but  simply 
brownish  grey. 

Passing  to  the  genus  Philemon,  Ph.  jobiensis  is  not  simply 
a  subspecies,  but  a  most  distinct  insular  form,  and,  besides 
having  the  fore  part  of  the  crown  bare,  it  wants  completely 
the  knob  at  the  base  of  the  culmen.  I  said,  "  culmine  rostri 
....  minime  tuber oso  ;"  and  again  minime  means  "not  at  all." 

In  the  habitat  o^  Ph.  moluccensis  (p.  276)  I  find  Bourn 
and  the  Ke  Islaiids,  and  two  specimens  from  the  latter  locality 
are  attributed  to  that  species.  But  here  there  must  be  some 
mistake,  as  Ph.  moluccensis  only  lives  in  Bourn,  and  in  the 
Ke  Islands  only  Ph.plumigenis  is  to  be  found.  To  this  species 
are  attributed  (p.  280)  the  specimens  from  Tenimber  Islands ; 
but  I  am  inclined  to  agree  with  Dr.  Meyer,  who  quite  recently 
has  separated  them  as  Ph.  timorlaoensis  {I.  c.  p.  41).  In  the 
genus  Philemon  is  included  Ph.  sclateri,  which  I  still  believe 
to  be  allied  to  the  genera  Melidectes  and  Melirrhophetes ,  and 
to  be  generically  separable  as  Meliarchus. 

The  union  of  Melijwtes  gymnops  in  one  genus  with  the 
species  attributed  to  Euthyrhynchus  is  beyond  my  compre- 
hension ! 

The  last  species  included  in  Mr.  Gadow's  vol.  ix.  of  the 
British  Museum  Catalogue  is  my  (Edistonia  pygmceum,  rele- 
gated to  the  Appendix.  The  author^s  last  remark  is  as 
follows  : — "  Count  Salvadori  has  placed  this  genus  between 
his  genera  Glycychara  and  Melilestes.  Not  having  seen  a 
specimen,  I  have  not  been  able  to  place  it  systematically,  but 
it  probably  comes  near  Glycyphila."  I  can  most  positively 
state  that  Mr.  Gadow  would  not  have  erred  if  he  had  left  in 
peace  my  genus  Melilestes,  instead  of  splitting  it  into  two 
parts,  one  of  which,  most  wrongly,  he  has  attributed  to 
Arachnothera !  Melilestes  fiovce-guinece,  M.  iliolophus,  M. 
affinis,  and  M.  poliopterus  are  no  Arachnotherte  at  all,  but 
most  certainly  Meliphagine  birds ;  they  have  the  "  bill  with  a 
prominent  culmen,  broadened  out  at  base  .  .  .  maxilla  serrated. 


Volumes  of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  329 

Nostrils  basal,  situated  in  a  large  unossified  groove,  which  is 
quite  soft  and  membranous,  longitudinal,  and  with  a  well- 
developed  coriaceous  operculum  ^^  (Gadow,/.c.p.  127).  Ea^  ore 
tuo  tejudico.  The  species  of  the  genus  Glycych(era  (abolished 
by  Mr.  Gadow),  and  those  of  CEdistoma  and  Melilestes  (also 
abolished),  constitute  a  very  natural  group  of  theMeliphagidse, 
and  must  be  accepted  as  proposed  in  my  work. 

Among  the  nine  plates  illustrating  this  volume  we  find 
one  (pi.  iv.)  of  Ptilotis  marmoruta,  already  figured  in  the 
'  Birds  of  New  Guinea/  so  that  the  figure  of  one  not  yet 
represented  would  have  been  more  useful. 

After  having  seen  Mr.  Gadow's  volumes,  I  have  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  authorities  of  the  British  Museum 
were  not  well  advised  in  entrusting  him  with  that  ornitho- 
logical task.  A  work  like  the  '  Catalogue  of  the  British 
Museum '  should  be  done  by  an  experienced  ornithologist, 
and  not  by  an  occasional  one,  like  Mr.  Gadow.  I  know  that 
those  authorities  have  been  influenced  by  the  wish  expressed 
from  different  sides  of  having  the  great  work  accomplished 
in  a  shorter  time ;  but  the  good  or  the  best  possible  execu- 
tion of  the  work  should  not  be  sacrificed  to  that  desire.  No 
human  work  is  perfect,  and  I  know  that  but  too  well,  having 
failed  more  than  once ;  but  in  any  case  the  work  should  be 
assigned  to  a  competent  person.  No  doubt  in  the  volumes 
of  the  Catalogue  prepared  by  INIr.  Sliarpe  there  are  also 
mistakes ;  but  still  one  sees  that  they  have  been  done  by  a 
competent  person  and  a  thorough  ornithologist. 

I  shall  conclude  by  expressing  my  opinion  that  it  would 
have  been  much  better  if  the  volumes  of  the  Catalogue  not 
prepared  by  Mr.  Sharpe  had  been  published  with  his  revision 
and  under  his  responsibility,  and  I  hope  that  this  will  be 
done  in  future.  In  this  way  we  may  expect  to  have,  besides 
other  advantages,  the  necessary  uniformity  in  that  great 
undertaking,  the  '  Catalogue  of  the  Birds.' 


&ER.  V. VOL.  II. 


2b 


330  Mr.  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  on  Birds 

XXXVI. — Contributmis  to  the  Ornithology  of  the  Philippine 
Islands. — On  two  Collections  of  Birds  from  the  vicinity  of 
Manilla.  By  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  F.Z.S.,  M.B.O.U., 
&c. 

(Plate  IX.) 

In  the  course  of  the  last  four  months  I  have  received  through 
the  kindness  of  my  friend  Mr.  Frederick  Maitland-Heriot,  of 
Manilla^  two  collections  of  bird-skins  which  were  made  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  that  town. 

The  skins  in  the  first  collection  were  in  a  very  ragged 
condition,  and  in  many  cases  barely  recognizable  ;  but  those 
in  the  second  collection  were  prepared  by  a  skilful  taxidermist, 
by  name  Pio  Oliva. 

In  the  first  collection  five  species  only  require  notice : — 

1.  Hypotriorchis  SEVERus  (Horsf.)  (13)'^. 
Hypotriorchis  severus  (Horsf.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  139 

(p.  306)  ;  Tweedd.  P.  Z.  S.  1878,  p.  937  (p.  629),  Zamboanga. 
One  example  in  adult  plumage. 

2.  AcciPiTER  MANiLLENSFs  (18  partim). 

Accipiter  stevensoni,  Gurney  apud  Tweedd.  P.  Z.  S.  1878, 
p.  938,  pi.  Ivii.  (p.  629). 

Accipiter  manillensis,  Meyen,  Beitr.  p.  69,  j)l.  9. 

Mr.  Gurney  thus  identifies  a  specimen  sent  from  Manilla 
by  Mr.  Maitland-Heriot  in  his  '  List  of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of 
Prey  in  the  Norwich  Museum.'  As  Mr.  Gurney  has  (App.  O. 
j)p.  173-177)  treated  of  this  species  at  considerable  length, 
I  refer  the  readers  of  "^The  Ibis'  to  his  remarks  there  given. 

3.  Circus  melanoleucus  (27). 

Circus  melanoleucus  (Forst.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  143 
(p.  311). 

Three  specimens,  ^ ,  ^  juv.,    ?  . 

The  occurrence  of  this  Harrier  in  the  Philippine  Islands  is 
thus  fully  established. 

*  The  numbers  in  brackets  following  the  title  are  those  of  my  revised 
list  of  Philippine  Birds,  App.  Tweedd.  Orn.  Mem.,  and  those  following 
the  references  to  Lord  Tweeddale's  writings  indicate  the  page  on  which 
they  will  be  fnund  in  the  Memoirs. 


from  the  vicinity  of  Manilla.  331 

4.  Pyrrhocentor  unirufus. 

Pyrrhocentor  unirufus,  Cab.  Mus.  Hein.  iv.  p.  118. 

Pyrrhocentor  melanops  (Less.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  viii.  p.  66 
(p.  158) ;  id.  ibid.  ix.  p.  164  (p.  330). 

I  am  inclined  to  think  that  this  is  a  distinct  species,  and 
not  the  young  of  P.  melanops,  as  Lord  Walden  supposed 
{I.e.). 

In  measurements  it  certainly  agrees  with  that  species,  but 
the  single  specimen  sent  appears  to  have  had  an  apple-green, 
bill  when  freshly  killed,  like  a  Rhopodijtes. 

5.  ExcALFACTORiA  cHiNENSis  (Linn.). 

Excalfactoria  chinensis  (L.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  224 
(P-  387) . 

The  single  specimen  sent  is  so  badly  skinned  that  it  is  impos- 
sible to  be  quite  sure  to  what  species  it  belongs ;  but  it  appears 
to  agree  with  specimens  from  Burmah,  Sumatra,  Malacca, 
and  Borneo. 

The  second  collection  contained  200  specimens  referable 
to  75  species,  of  which  23  do  not  appear  in  the  list  of  Luzon 
birds  collected  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Everett  (P.  Z.  S.  1877,  pp. 
686-703) . 

Three  species  have  to  be  added  to  my  ''  Revised  List  of 
Philippine  Birds,''  Tweedd.  Orn.  Mem.  App.  pp.  655-660, 
viz.  : — 

13  a.  Falco  melanogenys. 

88  a.  HiERococcYx  FUGAX  (?  =  88.  i7.  joec^ora/^^). 

212  a.  Melaniparus  semilarvatus. 

I  may  take  this  opportunity  of  mentioning  that,  in  the  list 
above  referred  to,  one  species  was  accidentally  omitted,  viz. 
Cinnyris  flagrans,  Oustalet,  from  Manilla.  Of  this  species, 
apparently,  only  the  type  specimen  (in  the  Museum  of  the 
Jardin  des  Plantes  in  Paris)  is  known ;  but,  having  sent  a  copy 
of  Capt.  Shelley's  figure  (Mon.  Cinn.  pi.  47)  to  Mr.  Maitland- 
Heriot,  I  hope  to  obtain  additional  examples. 

According  to  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney,  No.  18,  Accipiter  steven- 
soni,  should  be  expunged,  and  Accipiter  nisoides,  Blyth,  and 

2b  2 


.332  Mr.  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  on  Birds 

A.  maniUensis  (Meyen)  entered — there  being  in  the  Tweed-" 
dale  collection  a  female  of  the  former  from  Zamboanga  and 
two  presnmably  young  birds  of  this  species  from  the  same 
place,  and  the  specimen  of  the  latter  above  referred  to  from 
Manilla. 

The  species  to  be  noticed  in  the  second  collection  are  : — 

1.  Falcg  melanogenys,  Gould. 

Mr.  Gurney  thus  identifies  a  female  specimen  sent  by  Mr. 
Maitland-Heriot,  and  informs  me  that  the  specimen  in  the 
Norwich  Museum,  said  to  come  from  the  Philippine  Islands, 
which  is  alluded  to  by  the  late  Lord  Tweeddale,  T.  Z.  S.  ix. 
p.  139  (p.  30G),  is  exactly  similar. 

The  occurrence  of  this  Falcon  in  the  Philippines  is  thus 
established. 

2.  Ceyx  melanura. 

Alcedo  melanura,  Kaup,  Fam.  der  Eisv,  p.  15. 
Ceyx  melanura  (Kaup),  Sharpe,  Mon.  Alced.pl.  39;  Wald. 
T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  153  (p.  320). 
One  specimen. 

3.  Ceyx  cyanopectus.      (Plate  IX.) 

Ceyx  cyanopectus,  La  Fresnaye,  Rev.  Zool.  1840,  p.  33 

Ceyx  philippinensis,  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.  1868,  p.  404  ( <^  ?). 

Alcyone  cyanopectus  (La  Fr.),  Sharpe,  Mon.  Alced.  pi.  17. 

Ceyx  philippinensis,  Gld.,  Sharpe,  Mon.  Alced.  pi.  37; 
Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  153  (pp.  319-320). 

On  seeing  the  four  specimens  sent,  two  specimens  being  in 
the  plumage  of  A.  cyanopectus  and  two  in  that  of  C.  philip- 
pinensis, it  at  once  occurred  to  me  that  the  two  plumages 
were  those  of  the  two  sexes  of  the  same  species.  I  forwarded 
them  to  Mr.  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe,  who  replied  : — ^^  The  King- 
fishers are  very  interesting,  and  are  Alcyone  cyanopectus  and 
Ceyx  philippinensis  of  my  monograph.  When  I  wrote  I  had 
seen  only  one  specimen  of  Ceyx  philippinensis,  and  was  in- 
clined to  consider  the  two  sj)ecies  distinct;  but  I  greatly 
doubt  it  now,  and  suspect  that  the  two  are  sexes  of  one  and 
the  same  species." 


Iks.l884,PLIX. 


J  &.Keule.m92is  litk. 


CEYX   CYANOPECTUS.  I  J.  2,^ 


from  the  vicinity  of  Manilla.  333 

Now  if  Mr.  Sharpens  figure  (/.  c.)  accurately  represents  the 
specimen  from  which  it  professes  to  be  taken^  there  is  a  wide 
difference  in  jjlumage  between  it  and  the  two  sj)ecimens  which 
Mr.  Sharpe  now  identifies  with  A.  cyanopectus.  These  spe- 
cimens are  generally  similar  in  plumage  to  the  two  examples 
of  C.  philippinensis  sent  by  Mr.  Maitland-Heriot,  which  in 
turn  agree  with  Mr.  Sharpe's  plate,  except  that  that  plate 
appears  to  have  been  taken  from  a  much  faded  specimen. 
They,  however,  differ  in  having  the  patches  of  blue  meeting 
across  the  breast,  thus  forming  a  broad  pectoral  band,  within 
which  is  a  narrower  transverse  patch,  stretching  nearly  across 
the  breast,  of  the  same  deep  bright  rufous  as  the  rest  of  the 
lower  surface.  The  flanks  also  are  deep  lazuli  blue  and  not 
rufous,  as  in  C.  philippinensis,  GM.  The  birds  in  this  plu- 
mage I  take  to  be  females  ;  but  as  the  sexes  have  not  been 
determined  by  the  collector,  I  am  unable  to  speak  with 
certainty. 

4.    HiEROCOCCYX  rUGAX. 

Cuculus  fugax,  Horsf.  T.  L.  S.  xiii.  p.  178. 

An  immature  specimen  agreeing  closely  with  Malaccan 
specimens.  It  may  be  that  it  is  a  young  bird  of  H.  pecto- 
ralis,  Cab.,  which  would  rather  be  evidence  in  favour  of  the 
identity  of  the  two  species.  I  have  never  seen  a  specimen  of 
true  H.  fugaw  with  the  uniform  rufous  breast  of  H.  pecto- 
ralis,  Cab. 

Count  Salvadori  unites  H.  pectoralis  as  well  as  H.  hype- 
rythrus,  Gld.,  io  H.  fugax  (Ucc.  Born.  p.  63),  and  Professor 
Schlegel  (Mus.  P.-Bas,  Cuculi,  p.  14)  goes  further  and  unites 
H.  pectoralis  and  H.  fugax  to  H.  varius  (Vahl).  I  should 
have  least  hesitation  in  agreeing  with  the  latter  author  in  this 
instance.  It  is  diflScult  to  imagine  how  any  of  the  birds  known 
under  the  various  titles  mentioned  could  ever  attain  to  the 
very  marked  plumage  of  the  specimen  of  H.  hijperythrus  in 
the  British  Museum. 

As  I  have  requested  Mr.  Maitland-Heriot  to  send  me  all 
the  Cuckoos  he  can  obtain,  I  hope  soon  to  be  la  a  position 
to  settle  this  question. 


334  Mr.  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay  on  Birds 

5.  Lalage  melanoleuca. 

Pseudolalage  melanoleuca,  Bl.,  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  178 
(p.  343),  pi.  xxix.  f.  2. 

The  plumage  of  the  female  has  not  yet  been  described ;  it 
is  as  follows  : — As  in  the  male_,  but  the  glossy  greenish  black 
of  the  head,  mantle,  and  scapulars  replaced  by  ashy  grey, 
and  the  white  of  the  lower  surface  thickly  barred  with  grey. 
Dimensions  rather  less. 

Aj)pears  to  be  not  uncommon  near  Manilla. 

Two  female  specimens  were  collected  by  Mr.  A.  H.  Everett 
at  Laguna  de  Bai,  near  Manilla ;  but  Lord  Tweeddale  omitted 
to  mention  them  in  his  paper  on  Luzon  birds,  P.  Z.  S.  1877. 

6.  Pericrocotus  cinerejjs. 

Pericrocotus  cinereus,  La  Fresn.,  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  179 
(p.  345). 
Three  specimens. 

7.  Zeocephus  rufus. 

Zeocephus  rufus,  G.  R.  Gr.,  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  183  (p. 348) . 

Three  specimens.  A  specimen  presented  to  me  by  Herr 
Kutter,  of  Neustadt,  which  was  collected  by  Herr  Koch  in 
S.  Mindanao  {vide  J.  f.  O.  1883,  p.  309),  agrees  with  the 
above  specimens. 

8.  Pitta  erythrogastra. 

Fitta  erythrogastra,  Temm.,  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  187 
(p.  352). 

One  specimen,  which  agrees  with  birds  collected  by  Mr.  A. 
H.  Everett  at  Zamboanga  in  S.W.  Mindanao,  vide  P.  Z.  S. 
1878,  p.  948  (p.  639). 

9.  Melaniparus  semilarvatus. 

Melaniparus  semilarvatus,  Salvad.  Atti  Soc.  Ital.  Sc.  Nat. 
viii.  p.  375  (1865)  ;  id.  J.  f.  O.  1868,  p.  68 ;  id.  Ibis,  1879, 
p.  300,  pi.  ix. 

Parus  semilarvatus  (Salvad.),  Gadow,  Cat.  B.  viii.  p.  38. 

The  rediscovery  o£  this  bird,  which  has  been  for  so  long 
shrouded  in  mystery,  is  most  interesting.  One  of  the  two 
specimens   in    the    British    Museum  is    labelled    Philippine 


from  the  vicinity  of  Manilla.  335 

Islands;  but  the  other  is  marked  N.  China,  and  the  two 
typical  specimens  at  Turin  are  said  to  have  been  received 
with  many  other  Himalayan  birds  from  Baron  Solaroli ;  but 
Count  Salvadori  has  stated  (Ibis,  1879,  p.  300)  that  he  sus- 
pects that  in  reality  these  birds  had  been  given  to  the  Turin 
Museum  by  Baron  Bollet  along  with  some  Central- African 
birds.  All  the  other  species  of  Melaniparus  are  African. 
Two  specimens  are  sent  by  Mr.  Maitland-Heriot. 

10.  NUMENIUS  PH^OPUS. 

Numenius phceopus  (L.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  232  (p.  395). 
The  Philippine  Whimbrel  is  referred  by  Salvadori  (Orn, 
Pap.  iii.  p.  332)  to  A^.  variegatus,  Scop. 
One  specimen, 

11.  Ardetta  flavicollis. 

Ardetta  flavicollis    (Lath.),  Wald.   T.   Z.   S.    ix.    p.  236 
(p.  398)  ■  Tweedd.  P.  Z.  S.  1877,  p.  834  (p.  560). 
One  specimen. 

12.  GoRSACHIUS  MELANOLOPHUS. 

Ai^dea  melanolopha,  Raffles,  T.  L.  S.  xiii.  p.  326. 

Gorsachius  goisagi,  Temm.  PI.  Col.  582  ;  Faun.  Jap.  p.  1 16, 
pi.  70. 

Gorsachius  melanolophus  (Raffl.),  Wald.  T.  Z.  S.  ix.  p.  238 
(p.  401). 

Butio  kutteri,  Cab.  J.  f.  O.  1881,  p.  425. 

The  single  specimen  sent,  which  is  in  immature  plumage, 
agrees  in  the  length  and  shape  of  its  bill  with  an  adult 
specimen  from  Japan,  and  difiers  from  all  my  other  specimens 
from  Ceylon,  the  Nicobar  Islands,  Malacca,  and  (?)  Pegu  in 
this  respect.  Furthermore  it  differs  from  all  other  immature 
specimens  in  having  no  white  subterminal  spots  to  the  crest- 
feathers.  This  specimen  is  in  the  plumage  of  the  figure  of 
the  immature  bird  in  the  '  Fauna  J  aponica.''  I  am  disposed  to 
think  that  the  Japanese  and  Philippine  birds  must  be  kept 
distinct  under  the  title  of  G.  goisagi ;  but  see  the  writings  of 
Mr.  Gates  (B.  Burmah,  ii.  p.  261)  and  Mr.  A.  O.  Hume  (S.  F. 
ii.  p.  312,  and  viii.  p.  114). 


336  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

XXXVII. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 
(Continued  ft-om  p.  214.) 

41.  Bennett  on  the  Habits  of  Lcipoa. 

[On  the  Habits  of  the  Mallee  Hen,  Leipoa  oceUata.  By  K.  H.  Bennett, 
Esq.     Proc.  Linn.  See.  N.  S.  W.  viii.  p.  193.] 

Mr.  Bennett  gives  some  interesting  notes  on  the  nesting- 
habits  of  this  "  mound-builder,'^  as  observed  in  the  Mallee 
Scrubs  of  New  South  Wales.  One  of  the  mounds  measured 
was  37  feet  in  circumference,  and  the  writer  had  seen  some 
much  larger. 

42.  Blakiston's  amended  List  of  the  Birds  of  Japan. 

[Amended  List  of  the  Birds  of  Japan,  according  to  Geographical  Dis- 
tribution ;  with  notes  concerning  Additions  and  Corrections  since  January 
1882.  By  T.  W.  Blakiston.  (Printed  for  private  circulation.)  Bvo. 
London:  1884.] 

For  the  use  of  his  brother  ornithologists  in  Japan,  Capt. 
Blakiston  has  prepared  an  amended  list  of  the  birds  of  that 
country,  to  which  are  added  notes  on  the  corrections  and 
additions  made  since  the  issue  of  the  previous  edition  of  the 
catalogue  {cf  Ibis,  1882,  p.  599). 

The  number  of  species  now  recognized  as  Japanese  is  about 
350.     These  are  divided  into  the  following  categories : — 

A.  Species  common  to  Yezo  and  the  main  islands  of  Japan    217 

B.  Migrants  hitherto  only  obtained  in   Yezo  or  the  Kuriles,  but 

probably  also  to  be  met  with  in  the  main  islands  43 

C.  Species  not  found  in  Yezo  or  the  Kuriles     75 

D.  Non-migrants,  but  found  South  of  Yezo 8 

E.  Species  only  found  in  the  Kuriles 8 

351 

In  his  preface  Capt.  Blakiston  gives  the  following  list  of 
five  species  found  in  Yezo  which  have  distinct  representatives 
in  the  main  islands  : — 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  337 

Representatioes  in  Main  Isluruh  of 
Yezo  Species.  Japan. 

Picus  minor.  Picas  kisuki. 

Dryocopus  martins.  "  Dryocopus  richardsi. 
Gecinus  canus.  Gecinus  awokera. 

Garrulus  brandti.  Garrulus  japouicus. 

Acredula  caudata.  Acredula  trivirgata. 

It  will  thus  be  evident  that,  in  accordance  with  what 
Capt.  Blakiston  has  shown  in  a  previous  memoir  {cf.  '  Ibis/ 
1883,  p.  562),  Yezo  belongs  to  the  fauna  of  Siberia,  and  has 
species  more  akin  to  those  of  Northern  Europe,  while  the 
main  islands  of  Japan  appertain  rather  to  the  same  area  of 
distribution  as  the  adjacent  portion  of  China.  Such  forms  as 
Tchitrea princeps,  Pericrocotus  cinereus,  and  Megaluruspryeri 
are  manifestly  southern  elements  in  the  Japanese  av.fauna, 
and  are  never  found  in  Yezo, 

43.  Blasius's  Oi'iiithological  Contributions. 

[Oruithologische  Mittheilungen.  Von  R,  Blasius. .  Sitzuiigsb.  d.  Verein 
f.  Naturwiss.  zu  Braunschweig,  Dec.  3,  1883.] 

Dr.  R.  Blasius^s  notes  refer  to  Serimis  hortulanus,  Ciconia 
nigra,  and  Picus  major. 

44.  Cooke  and  Widmann  on  Bird-migration  in  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley. 

[Bird-Migration  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  By  \V.  W.  Cooke  and  Otto 
Widmann.  Read  before  the  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago, 
Illinois,  U.  S.  A.,  1883.] 

This  paper,  reprinted  from  the  '  American  Field,^  contains 
an  account  of  the  field-notes  on  the  arrivals  and  departures 
of  the  migrant  species  made  by  IVIr.  Widmann  at  St.  Louis, 
on  the  Mississippi,  and  by  M.\\  Cooke  at  Jefferson,  Wis., 
during  the  spring  of  1883.  The  combined  notes  on  each 
species  are  added  afterwards  in  systematic  order. 

45.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo. 

^     [The  Birds  of  Haiti  and  San  Domingo.     By  Charles  B.  Coiy,  F.L.S. 
Estes  and  Lauriat,  Boston,  1884.     Part  I,,  5  pp.,  G  plates,  quarto.] 

We  have  received  with  great  pleasure  the  first  number  of 


338  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Mr.  Cory's  new  work  on  the  birds  of  San  Domingo.  To  the 
exploration  of  this  interesting  but  much  neglected  island 
Mr.  Cory  has,  as  we  all  know,  devoted  his  attention  for 
several  years,  and  now  gives  us  the  results  of  his  investi- 
gations. The  present  number  contains  his  account  of  the 
Oscinine  Passeres  down  to  the  commencement  of  the  Tana- 
gridte,  namely,  2  Turdidre,  15  Sylvicolidse,  1  Coerebidse, 
2  Plirundinidse,  1  Vireonida3,  2  Ampelidse,  and  2  Tanagers. 
Of  these  species  nine  or  ten  are  forms  peculiar  to  the  island, 
the  rest  are  mainly  North-American  visitors  in  the  winter. 
The  number  of  generic  forms  restricted  to  San  Domingo  is, 
as  is  well  known,  remarkable.  We  already  have  in  that  island 
Lig'uiy  Dulus,  and  Phmiicophilus,  and  there  are  several  others 
to  follow. 

The  species  figured  in  the  present  number  are  Mimocichla 
ardesiaca,  with  its  nest  and  eggs,  Ligia  palustris,  Hirundo 
sclateri,  Myiadestes  montanus,  and  Spindalis  unicolor. 

Mr.  Cory  will  forgive  us  for  reminding  him  that  in  these 
days  every  local  fauna  should  have  a  map  attached  to  it,  with 
the  special  localities  given  in  the  text  plainly  marked.  Such 
an  addition  greatly  enhances  its  scientific  value,  not  to  men- 
tion its  convenience. 

46.   Crawford's  'Across  the  Pampas.' 

[Across  the  Pampas  and  tlie  Andes.  By  Robert  Crawford.  London  : 
Longmans,  .1884.] 

This  is  a  book  of  travels,  containing  an  interesting  account 
of  Mr.  Crawford's  adventures  while  surveying  a  route  for 
the  proposed  Transandine  Railway  from  Buenos  Ayres  to  the 
Pacific.  It  contains  many  allusions  to  birds,  particularly  to 
those  that  served  to  vary  the  diet  of  the  travellers.  The 
"  Blackbird "  of  Mendoza  (p.  198)  is,  of  course.  Tardus 
fuscater,  d'Orb.  et  Lafr.,  and  the  following  passage,  no  doubt, 
relates  to  the  singular  Andean  Duck,  Merganetta  armata : — 

"  Our  route  lay  through  the  lovely  valley  of  the  Teno.     In 
its  rushing  waters   we  saw  in  several  places  birds  with  the^ 
most  wonderful  power  of  swimming  I  had  ever  observed  in 
any  class  of  divers.      From  time  to  time  they  darted  from  the 


Recently  published  07'nithological  Works.  339 

rocks  into  the  boiling  current,  and  issued  from  it  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  stream  with  as  much  apparent  ease  as  if 
their  course  had  been  through  a  pool  of  stagnant  water.  The 
facility  with  which,  upon  emerging  from  the  river,  they 
scrambled  up  the  smooth-worn  surface  of  the  rounded  stones 
was  also  marvellous.  The  natives  told  us  they  accomplished 
this  by  the  aid  of  hooks  with  which  their  wings  are  provided, 
somewhat  similar,  I  snj)pose,  to  the  spurs  on  the  wings  of 
the  Horned  Plover  and  the  Crested  Screamer." 


47.   Crowley's  '  Catalogue  of  Birds'  Eggs' 

[Catalogue  of  Birds'  Eggs  in  the  Collection  of  Philip  Crowley.  (Pri- 
vately printed.)     Oct.  1883.] 

Mr.  Crowley's  catalogue  contains  merely  the  names  of  the 
species  arranged  according  to  Gray^s  '  Hand-list.'  His  series 
is  of  considerable  extent  and  includes,  we  believe.  Canon  Tris- 
tram's collection. 


48.  Fischer  and  Reichenow  on  new  Birds  from  Masai-land. 

[Neue  Vogelarten  aus  deni  Massailand  (Inneres  Ostafiika)  entdeckt  von 
Dr.  G.  A.  Fischer  wiihrend  der  im  Auftrage  der  Geographischen  Gesell- 
schaft  in  Hamburg  unternommenen  Reise  in  das  Innere  der  aquatorialen 
Ostafrikas,  beschriebeu  von  Dr.  G.  A.  Fischer  und  Dr.  Ant.  Ileichenow. 
Journ.  f.  Oru.,  Jan.  1884.]] 

This  paper,  an  advance-copy  of  which  has  been  kindly  lent 
to  us  by  Mr.  Sliarpe,  contains  short  descriptions  of  the 
novelties  obtained  by  Dr.  Fischer  during  his  recently  accom- 
plished excursion  round  the  skirts  of  Kilima-ndjaro  into  the 
Masai  country,  to  which  we  have  already  alluded  (Ibis,  1883, 
p.  583,  and  1884,  p.  124).  Twenty  species  are  characterized 
as  new,  namely,  Corythaix  hartlaubi  (a  remarkable  species, 
with  the  style  of  colour  of  Gallirex  porphyreolophus) ,  Cotile 
rufigula,  Dioptornis  (gen.  nov.  ex  fam.  Muscicapidarum) 
fischeri,  Alseonax  murina,  Chloropeta  massaica,  Notauges 
fischeri,  Euplectes  friederichseni,  Nigrita  cabanisi,  Passer 
rufocinctus,  Coraphites  leucopareia,  Megalophojius  massaicus, 
Zosterops  eurycricotus,  Drepanorhynchus  reichenowii  (gen.  et 


340  RecentUj publ'ishud  Oni'ithoJogical  IVorks. 

sp.  nov.  ex  fatn.  Nectariniidarum),  Cinnyris  falkensteini, 
Parus  fringillinus,  Burnesia  melanocephala,  Calanwnastes 
fischeri,  Saxicula  schaluvn,  Tarsiger  orientalis,  and  Pseudo- 
cossyphiis  rufus  (gen.  et  sp.  nov.  ex  subt'ara.  Turdinarum) . 

49.   Gadow  on  the  Ciunyrimorplue, 

[Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the  British  Miiseuiu.  A'oliime  IX.  Cinuy- 
riniorphae  :  containing  the  Families  Nectariniidie  and  Muliphagidie  (Sun- 
birds  and  Iloney-eaters).      By  Hans  Gadow,  M.A.,  Ph.D.      Loudon  : 

1884.] 

The  ninth  vohmie  of  the  '  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  in  the 
British  Museum'  is  devoted  to  the  two  great  Old-Workl 
families  Nectariniidie  and  Meliphagidaj,  wherein  are  compre- 
hended 355  species.  Of  these  291  are  represented  in  the 
national  collection  by  2450  specimens.  As  in  the  case  of 
the  eighth  volume,  the  author  is  Dr.  Hans  Gadow,  now 
Strickland  Curator  in  the  University  of  Cambridge. 

As  regards  the  Nectariniidse,  Dr.  Gadow's  task  has  not 
been  a  difficult  one,  Capt.  Shelley's  excellent  illustrated 
monograph  of  this  beautiful  group  having  been  only  recently 
finished.  We  think,  in  fact,  that  Dr.  Gadow  would  have 
done  better  if  he  had  followed  Captain  Shelley's  lead  even 
more  closely  than  he  has  done.  His  alterations  of  the  last- 
named  author's  well-considered  work  are,  in  some  cases,  by 
no  means  emendations.  Besides,  where  it  comes  to  be  little 
more  than  a  matter  of  individual  opinion,  it  is  inconvenient 
to  others  to  diverge  unnecessarily  from  the  arrangement 
adopted  by  the  standard  authority  on  the  subject. 

In  placing  the  Zostcropes  among  the  Mcliphagida3,  Dr. 
Gadow,  we  suppose,  acts  merely  in  obedience  to  higher 
authority.  He  says,  truly  enough,  that  "  their  degree  of 
relationship  to  the  Honey-caters  is  doubtful."  But,  omit- 
ting the  Zosteropes,  which  have  been  treated  by  Mr.  Sharpe, 
it  cannot  be  said  that  Dr.  Gadow  has  been  successful  in 
the  general  grouping  of  this  family,  as  any  one  who  refers  to 
the  so-called  key  (p.  127)  must  admit.  The  two  genera 
Melitltreptus  and  Plectorhynchus  are  obviously  Meli})hagine, 
and  it  passe?  our  comprehension  to   understand  upon  what 


Recently  ptihl/shed  Ornithological  Works.  341 

grounds  they  arc  referred  to  the  Zosteropinse.  Nor  can 
we  approve  of  the  insertion  of  Promerops  among  the 
MeHphaginte. 

The  new  species  in  the  present  volume  appear  to  be  Myzo- 
mela  guentheri,  from  New  Britain,  described  by  Dr.  Gadow; 
and  Zosterops  C7'issalis  (New  Guinea),  Z.  gallio  (Java),  and 
Z.  fallax  (Java  and  Sumatra),  by  Mr.  Sharpe.  The  two  last- 
named  had  been  previously  described  under  unusable  names. 
The  species  figured  are  Arachnothera  poHoptera,  A.  iliolophus, 
Philemmi  cockerelli,  Myzomela  guentheri,  Ptilotis  marmorata, 
P.  megalorhynchus,  P.  polygramma,  P.  virescens,  and  P. 
limbata. 

50.  Goss  on  the  Birds  of  Kansas. 

[A  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Kansas.  By  N.  S.  Goss.  Topeka,  Kansas : 
1883.] 

Kansas  occupies  a  large  area  in  the  centre  of  the  North- 
American  continent,  and  gradually  sloping  from  the  low 
bottoms  and  timber-lands  on  the  Mississijjpi  side  up  to  the 
high  treeless  plains  of  the  interior,  affords  a  diversity  of  soil 
and  variation  of  climate  that  renders  its  bird-life  rich  and 
varied.  Col.  Goss,  fortified  by  observations  in  the  field  and  the 
knowledge  thereby  gathered  during  twenty-six  years^  resi- 
dence, is  well  qualified  to  carry  out  the  request  of  the  Executive 
Council  of  the  State  that  he  should  prepare  a  catalogue 
of  its  Birds.  This  catalogue,  arranged  according  to  Mr. 
Ridgway's  system  and  nomenclature,  contains  320  species, 
of  which  161  are  known  to  breed  in  the  State.  The  names 
of  29  other  species  which  are  likely  to  occur  in  Kansas  are 
given  in  an  appendix. 

51.  Gould's  'Birds  of  New  Guinea.' 

[The  Birds  of  New  Guinea  and  the  adjacent  Papuan  Islands,  including 
any  new  Species  that  may  be  discovered  in  Australia.  By  [the  late] 
John  Gould,  F. U.S.  &c.     Part  XVI.     Folio.     London:  1884.] 

The  sixteenth  part  of  this  work  contains  illustrations  of 
the  following  species  : — 


342  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

Eclectus  riedeli.  Piezorhynclius  vidua. 

Megalurus  albolimbatus.  squamulatus. 

Gerygone  dorsalis.  Heteranax  mundus. 

Rhipidura  opistheryihra.  Artamides  unimodus. 

Pachyceplialopsis  fortis.  Oiiolus  decipiens. 

Poecilodryas  bimaculata.  Philemon  plumigenis. 
Piezorhynchus  castus. 

Many  of  the  species  figured  are,  it  will  be  observed,  from 
specimens  collected  during  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes's  recent  expe- 
dition to  the  Tenimber  Islands. 

Mr.  Sharpe  thinks  it  possible  that  the  name  Eclectus 
riedeli  "  will  be  found  to  have  been  superseded  by  Eclectus 
ivestermanni  of  Bonaparte."  But  we  may  point  out  that 
the  type  of  Psittacodis  westermanai,  Bp.,  is  in  the  Leyden 
Museum,  and  that  it  is  not  certain  that  the  specimen  in  the 
British  Museum  to  which  Mr.  Sharpe  refers  has  been 
correctly  attributed  to  Eclectus  westermanni.  Bonaparte 
(P.  Z.  S.  1850,  p.  26)  expressly  characterizes  the  latter  as 
"  iliis  concoloribus." 

A  new  generic  name  {Heteranax)  is  proposed  for  Monarcha 
mundus^  Sclater. 

52.  Hartlaiib  on  new  African  Birds. 

[Diaimosen  ciniger  ueuer  Vogel  aus  dem  ostlichaquatorialen  Africa. 
Vou  Dr.  G.  Ilartlaub.     Journ.  f.  Oni.,  Oct.  188-3.] 

Four  new  species,  discovered  by  Dr.  Emin  Bey  in  Eastern 
Equatorial  Africa,  are  shortly  diagnosed  as  Ptyrticus  turdinus, 
Crateropus  tenebrosus,  Xenocichla  orientalis,  and  Astrilda 
nonnula.     Ptyrticus  is  a  new  genus  (of  what  family  ?) . 

53.  Holmberg  on  the  Birds  of  the  Sierra  del  Tandil. 

[Resultados  cientificos,  especialmeute  zoologicos  y  botanicos,  de  los 
tres  viajes  Uevados  a  cabo  por  el  Dr.  Holmberg,  en  1881,  1882,  y  1883  a 
la  Sierra  del  Tandil.  Actas  de  la  Academia  Nacional  de  Ciencias  en 
Cordoba.     Tomo  V.     Entrega  primera,     Buenos  Ayres  :  1884.] 

Dr.  Holmberg's  three  scientific  expeditions  into  the  Sierra 
of  Tandil,  in  the  Argentine  Republic,  in  1881  and  the  two 
following  years,  prove  that  this  district  is  not  rich  in  birds. 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  343 

Examples  of  only  about  sixty  species  were  obtained — all  of 
them  well-known  inhabitants  of  the  States  of  the  Rio  de 
la  Plata. 


5-1.  Huet  on  Birds  in  the  Jardiii  des  Plantes. 

[Note  sur  les  naissances,  dons  et  acquisitions  de  la  menagerie  du  museum 
d'histoire  uaturelle,  pendant  les  mois  de  mai,  juin,  juillet  et  aout  1883. 
Par  M.  Iluet.     Bull.  Soc.  d'Acclimatation,  Oct.  1883.] 

M.  Huet  gives  an  account  of  the  additions  to  the  birds  in 
the  living  collection  at  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  in  the  summer 
of  1883j  and  in  particular  records  the  hatching  of  four  young 
Brush-Turkeys  [Talegalla  lathami)  after  a  period  of  thirty 
days^  "  incubation  "  in  their  mound,  and  gives  some  inter- 
esting particulars  of  the  young  birds. 

55.  Johnston's  'River  Congo.' 

[The  River  Congo,  from  its  mouth  to  Bolobo,  with  a  general  Descrip- 
tion of  the  Natural  History  and  Anthropology  of  its  Western  Basin.  8vo. 
London:  1883.] 

IVIr.  Johnston  would  not  pretend  to  claim  for  his  volume 
a  comparison  with  Bates's  '  Amazons '  or  Wallace's  '  Indian 
Archipelago/  but  every  naturalist  will  read  with  pleasure  the 
lively  narrative  of  his  journey  up  the  Congo,  from  its  mouth 
to  Bolobo.  It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Johnston 
had  no  collector  with  him,  and  that  the  specimens  which  he 
was  actually  able  to  bring  home  were  few  and  imperfectly 
preserved.  It  has  thus  happened  that  in  some  cases  the 
scientific  names  given  in  the  present  volume  from  memory 
or  observation  may  not  be  strictly  accurate.  But  we  have  a 
good  general  chapter  on  the  bird-life  of  the  Congo,  conclud- 
ing with  a  systematic  list  of  species,  in  which  there  seem  to 
be  but  few  errors.  There  are  likewise  many  bird-notes 
interspersed  in  the  narrative,  and  woodcuts  of  various  species. 
The  Grey  Parrot,  we  learn,  is  "  found  in  incredible  quantities 
on  Stanley  Pool,"  a  Pratincole  is  common  on  the  Congo, 
being  found  in  "  flocks  of  over  a  thousand  at  a  time,"  and 
the  Egyptian  Goose,   Gypohierax,  Darters,  and  Scopus  um- 


3 14  Recently  puhUshed  OrnUhological  Works. 

bretta  are  likewise  abundant.  The  Giant  Plantain-eater 
{Turacus  giganteus)  was  met  with  near  Msuata;  and  Mr, 
Stanley  says  he  has  seen  the  Baheriiceps  on  the  upper  river, 
and  "  describes  it  accurately/^ 

Mr.  Johnston  is  the  first  explorer  of  the  Congo  who  has 
made  any  effort  to  investigate  its  natural  products,  which 
seem  to  have  been  rather  ignored  by  the  emissaries  of  the 
International  Association.  We  trust,  however,  that  before 
long  some  systematic  attempts  will  be  made  to  render  its 
rich  fauna  and  flora  better  known  to  the  world  of  science. 

56.  Meyer  on  a  Grouse  from  Saxony. 

[Eine  in  SacLseu  erlegte  Rackelhenne.  Von  A.  B.  Meyer.  Mitth.  d. 
orn.  Ver.  iu  Wien,  1884.] 

Dr.  A.  B.  Meyer  writes  of  a  female  specimen  of  Tetrao 
medius  {Tetrao  urogallus  x  T.  tetrix),  obtained  near  Dresden. 

57.  '  Ornithologist  and  Oologist.' 

[Ornithologist  and  Oologist.  Vol.  IX.  No.  1.  Pawtucket,  R.  I., 
January  1884.] 

This  number  commences  a  new  series  of  this  popular 
American  bird-periodical,  which  now  enters  upon  its  ninth 
volume. 

58.  Radde  and  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  the  Caucasus. 

[Ueber  eine  Sendung  von  Vogeln  aus  dem  Kaukasus.  Vom  Staatsrath 
Dr.  E.  Radde  nebst  eineni  Vorworte  nnd  Bemerkuugen  von  A.  von  Pel- 
zeln. Mittlieilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien,  1884, 
No.  1.] 

Herr  v.  Pelzeln  contributes  some  good  critical  notes  to  his 
list  of  a  collection  of  birds  from  the  Caucasus  which  Dr. 
Radde  has  lately  sent  through  Crown-Prince  Rudolf  to  the 
Vienna  Museum.  He  makes  Ruficilla  einjthroprocta,  Gould 
=  R.  ochrura  (Gm.).     Cf  Schalow,  J.  f.  O.  1880,  p.  270. 

59.  Report  of  the  German  Committee  on  the  Migration  of 
Birds. 

[VII.  Jabresbericlit  (1882)  des  Ansschusses  fiir  Beobacbtungsstationen 
der  Vogel  Deutscblands.     J.  f.  O.  1884,  p.  1.] 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  345 

This  interesting  annual  Report  on  the  arrivals,  dates  of 
nesting,  and  departures  of  birds  in  Germany  treats  of  204 
species.  As  usual,  the  facts  are  jiresented  in  a  clear  and 
concise  manner. 

60.  Report  of  the  Austro-Hungarian  Committee  on  the  Mi- 
gration of  Birds. 

[I.  Jahresbericht  (1882)  des  Comitesfiir  ornithologisclie  Beobaclituugs- 
stationen  in  Oesterreich  und  Uugam.     Royal  8vo.     Wien  :  1883.] 

Observations  or  reports  on  migration  are  now  the  fashion, 
and  in  emulation  of  the  efforts  of  the  Northern  Germans  and 
ourselves,  the  Austro-Hungarians  have  entered  the  field  with 
a  strong  committee  under  the  patronage  of  the  Crown-Prince 
Rudolf,  and  presided  over  by  the  Ritter  von  Tschusi  zu 
Schmidhoffen.  In  200  pages  we  have  valuable  observations 
upon  the  migration  and  distribution  of  347  species ;  and  of 
a  surety  the  next  wi^iter  on  the  Birds  of  Europe  will  have 
plenty  of  material,  if  only  his  lifetime  and  that  of  his  assis- 
tants suffice  for  the  digestion  thereof. 

61.  Schalow's  Catalogue  of  the  Seventh  Exhibition  of  the 
JEgintha. 

[Catalog  zur  siebenten  Ausstellung  des  deutschen  Vereins  fiir  Vogel- 
zucht  und  Acclimatisation  (Aegiutha)  in  Berlin  vom  8.  bis  12.  Februar 
1884  in  den  Raumen  des  Hauses  Friedrich-Strasse  178,  1.  Etage,  8vo. 
Berlin:  1884] 

Herr  H.  Schalow  has  kindly  forwarded  to  us  a  copy  of  the 
catalogue  of  the  seventh  exhibition  of  the  vEgintha,  or 
German  Union  for  Bird-breeding  and  Acclimatation,  which 
took  place  in  Berlin  in  February  last.  A  good  series  of 
Parrots  and  other  foreign  birds,  as  well  as  of  the  more  usually 
kept  native  families,  appears  to  have  been  brought  together. 

62.  Selys-Long champs  on  the  Birds  of  Heligoland. 

[Excursion  a  I'lle  d'Heligoland  en  Septembre  1879.  Par  M.  Edni.  de 
Selys-Longcbamps.     Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1882,  p.  2o0.] 

An  interesting  account  of  Mr.  Gatke^s  famed  collection. 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  2  c 


346  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works, 

63.  Shmj^e  on  Strix  oustalcti. 

[A  Note  on  Strir  oustalcti,  llartlaub.  By  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe.  P.  Z.  S. 
1882,  p.  335.] 

Mr.  Sharpe  shows  that  the  so-called  Stri.v  oustaJeti  from 
Viti  Levu  is  based  upon  a  local  form  of  the  widely  spread 
Grass-Owl  {Strix  Candida) . 

64.  Sharpe  on  the  correct  Name  of  the  Shdmd. 

[On  the  correct  Generic  and  Specific  Name  of  the  Indian  Sliama.  By 
E.  Bowdler  Sharpe.     Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.,  July  1882.] 

IMr.  Sharpe  gives  good  reasons  for  his  conclusion  that  the 
best  name  for  the  Indian  Shiima  is  Cittocincla  tricolor  (Vieill.) . 
But,  to  be  quite  correct,  the  generic  name  should  be  written 
^'Cittocichla,"  "cichla''''  (not  "cincla"'^)  being  the  proper 
Latinized  form  of  Ki')(\rj. 


65.  Stejneger  on  the  Birds  of  Westland. 

[Andet  Bidrag  til  Vestlandets  ornitliologiske  Fainia.  Af  Leonard 
Stejneger.     Nyt  Magazin  for  Naturv.  Cliristiania,  1882.] 

IVir.  Stejneger's  second  contribution  to  the  ornithological 
fauna  of  Westland  (a  copy  of  which  has  only  lately  reached 
us^  though  it  ajipears  to  have  been  published  in  1882)  con- 
tains notes  on  examples  of  Motacilla  melanope,  Pyrrhula 
europtea,  Cygmts  bewickii,  and  "  Urinator"  (i.e.  Colymbus) 
adamsi,  which  have  lately  occurred  in  that  part  of  Norway, 
and  on  the  synonymy  of  the  species.  Mr.  Stejneger  vindi- 
cates the  claim  of  the  last-named  species  to  be  recognized  as 
distinct  from  Urinator  immer\  (i.e.  Colymbus  g  la  cialis) . 

QQ>.  Stejneger  on  new  Birds  from  Kamtschatka  and  the 
Commander  Islands. 

[Diag-noses  of  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Kamtschatka  and  the  Com- 
mander Islands.  By  Leonard  Stejneger.  Proc.  Biol.  See.  Washington, 
ii.  1882-84.     Extras  printed  April  ICHh,  1884.] 

Mr.  Stejneger    publishes,   in    ''  extras "    from   the    '  Pro- 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  347 

ceedings  of  the  Biological  Society  of  Washington/  diagnoses 
of  five  more  "  new  species  "  of  birds  discovered  during  his 
recent  expedition  to  Kamtschatka  and  the  Commander  Islands. 
These  are  entitled  Pica  camtschatica,  Corvus  grebnitskii, 
Alauda  blakistoni,  Dendrocopus  immaculatus,  and  Lagopus 
ridgivayi.  We  never  like  to  condemn  species  before  seeing 
specimens  of  them ;  but,  judging  from  the  diagnoses  and  from 
what  we  know  of  the  variations  of  such  forms  as  Pica 
caudata  and  Corvus  corax,  we  should  be  inclined  to  doubt 
whether  some  of  these  supposed  species  would  be  generally 
accepted. 


67.  Swinburne' s  List  of  the  Birds  inhabiting  the  Islands  of 
Sula  Sgeir. 

[Notes  on  the  Islands  of  Sula  Sgeir,  or  North  Barra  and  North  Eona, 
with  a  List  of  the  Birds  inhabiting  them.  By  John  Swinburne.  Proc. 
R.  Physical  Soc.  Edinb.  viii.  p.  51.] 

The  writer  gives  an  interesting  epitome  of  the  results  of  the 
visits  of  his  predecessors  (from  1594  to  the  present  date)  to  these 
remote  islands,  the  latter  of  which  has  been  uninhabited  since 
1844,  except  during  a  few  days  at  the  annual  shearing  of  the 
sheep  which  are  pastured  there.  The  principal  interest  of 
North  Rona  consists  in  the  fact  that  the  Fork-tailed  or 
Leach's  Petrel  [Thalassidroma  leucorrhoa)  breeds  there  in 
considerable  numbers.  Eighteen  species  of  birds  were  noted 
altogether. 


68.   Vieillofs  'Analyse'  (reprint). 

[Vieillot's  Analyse  d'une  nouvelle  Ornithologie  Elementaire.  Edited 
by  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S.,  P\Z.S.     Loudon  :  1883.] 

This  necessary  work  to  all  ornithologists  has  been  reprinted 
by  the  Willughby  Society,  and  issued  to  subscribers  for  1883. 
Saunders,  who  has  edited  the  reprint,  gives  in  his  preface  a 
short  account  of  Vieillot's  life  and  labours. 

2c  2 


348  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

69.  Vorderman's  'Birds  of  Batavia' 

[Bataviasclie  Vogels  door  A.  G.  Yorderman.     Part  V.     Overgedrukt 
uit  het  Natuurk.  Tijds.  Nederl.  Indie,  Deel  xliii.  Ail.  8.] 

Mr.  Vorderman  continues  his  notes  on  the  birds  of  the 
vicinity  of  Batavia  (c/.  Ibis,  1884,  p.  111). 

70.  Wagler^s  Six  Ornithological  Memoirs  (reprint) . 

[Wagler's  Six  Ornithological  Memoirs  from  the  '  l-is.'  Edited  by 
P.  L.  Scdater,  M.A.,  Pb.U.,  F.K.S.     London  :  1884.] 

Wagler^s  six  memoirs  are  certainly  the  most  important 
ornithological  papers  of  the  '  Isis  ;'  and  the  Willughby  Society 
has  done  a  good  work  in  reprinting  them.  If  Boie^s  memoirs 
were  treated  in  the  same  way,  as  we  trust  will  be  the  case, 
the  long  series  of  this  old  German  journal  would  cease  to 
be  an  absolutely  necessary  component  of  the  ornithologist's 
library. 


XXXVIII. — Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 
Editors  of'The  Ibis:'  — 

Northrepps, 
April  18,  1884. 

Sirs, — In  the  last  number  of  '  The  Ibis  '  {supra,  p.  207) 
reference  is  made  to  Dr.  Dybowski's  valuable  paper  on  the 
Birds  of  Kamtschatka,  published  in  the  Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  de 
France,  1883,  p.  351.  In  this  paper,  and  also  in  one  by 
Mr.  Taczanowski  at  p.  329  of  the  same  volume,  Astur  atri- 
capiUus  is  included  as  a  species  inhabiting  Kamtschatka,  the 
only  authority  for  so  regarding  it  being,  as  far  as  I  am  aware, 
a  description  of  a  young  female  Goshawk,  referred  by  Mr. 
Taczanowski  to  this  species,  which  is  given  at  p.  331  of  his 
paper  just  mentioned. 

So  far  as  my  experience  goes,  it  is  not  possible  to  distin- 
guish with  any  certainty  yis^M/-  atricapillus  in  the  first  year's 
plumage  from  A.  palumbarius  at   a  similar  age  ;  and  I  am 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  349 

therefore  sceptical  as  to  the  former  being  really  an  Asiatic 
species,  and  cannot  but  think  it  more  probable  that  the 
specimen  described  by  Mr.  Taczanowski  is  a  young  female 
of  A.  palumhar'ius. 

1  may  take  the  opportunity  of  observing  that  the  White 
Goshawk,  for  which  Dr.  Dybowski  has  proposed  the  appro- 
priate name  of  ""  candidissimus,''  would  seem  to  be  the  same 
as  that  which  was  described  as  "Accipiter  astur  Q  "  in  the 
Zoogr.  Rosso-As.  of  Pallas,  vol.  i.  p.  370.  It  is,  however, 
worthy  of  remark  that  Pallas  describes  the  colour  of  the  iris 
as  "  flavissima  "  and  Dybowski  as  "  brunnea.^^ 

Yours  &c., 

J.   H.  GURNEY. 


SiRSj — Can  you  give  space  for  the  following  argument  and 
actual  record  of  a  very  rare  Scottish  bird?  The  enclosed 
slips  explain  my  object  in  pressing  for  the  adoption  of  a 
uniform  method  of  recording  rare  occurrences  of  birds  and 
other  migrational  phenomena. 

I  do  not  desire  to  force  my  method  upon  anybody,  be  he 
editor,  or  journalist,  or  natural  historian  of  any  area  ;  I  only 
wish  to  test  its  usefulness,  and  to  arrive  at  uniformity  of 
method,  w^hether  my  plan,  or  a  better  matured  one,  be 
adopted.  Originality  has  its  charms,  no  doubt,  but  utility 
of  method  I  hold  cannot  be  overrated. 

I  send  this  record  in  the  form  proposed  (p.  350),  and  I 
also  instance  how  easy  it  is  to  extend  from  it  for  more 
popular  or,  it  may  be,  for  more  permanent  historical  record. 

Scotland.  Record  No.  2.  Duplicate. 

Being  a  full  text  of  the  Record,  written  out 
direct  from  the  Form. 

On  March  31st,  1884,  at  Pentland  Skerries,  in  the  Pent- 
land  Firth,  Ruticilla  titys  (the  Black  Redstart) — a  fine  adult 
male — was  shot  by  Mr,  John  Gilmour,  lighthouse-keeper,  at 
the  locality  named  :  it  was  roughly  skinned,  and  sent  to  J. 


350 


Letters,  Announcements,  fifc. 


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Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  351 

A.  Harvie-Brown  for  identification,  and  it  is  now  in  the 
museum  of  Major  H.  W.  Feilden  and  Harvie-Brown.  It 
arrived  with  [a  fiock  of  j  other  migrants,  amongst  which 
were  1  Robin,  several  Sandpipers,  1  Yellow  Bunting,  1  Chaf- 
finch, Wheatears  [locally  and  erroneously  called  "  Stone- 
chats  •"] ,  1  Golden-crested  Wren,  and  1  Common  Thrush. 
Mr.  Gilmour  writes : — "  I  have  never  seen  a  bird  like  it 
before."  It  came  with  a  strong  S.E.  wind,  and  a  S.  and 
S.E.  wind  had  prevailed  for  some  days  (3)  beforehand.  The 
weather  was  clear  on  the  28th,  but  hazy  on  the  31st,  or  day 
of  capture. 

Note. — This  may,  we  believe,  be  considered  the  most 
northerly  record  of  the  species  in  Britain  up  to  date. 

In  conclusion,  uniformity  of  method  is  a  desideratum — a 
saving  of  time,  labour,  and  thought.  If  some  such  form  be 
adopted  by  all  readers,  how  easy  would  it  become  for  an 
editor,  or  any  other  party  desirous  of  writing  at  length,  to 
"  read  as  he  ran,"  and  to  transform  the  uniform  records  into 
extended  and  possibly  more  popularly  useful  and  permanent 
ones.  A  single  page,  or  at  most  two,  of  any  periodical  each 
month  would  provide  ample  space  for  the  whole  uniform 
records  of  that  month.  Query : — How  many  pages  more 
would  give  the  permanent  information  whenever  it  is  desired 
to  extend  it,  or  to  '^^  write  off,''^  '^  compile,"  and  ^'render 
permanently  historical "  the  fauna,  or  this  portion  of  the 
faunal  account,  of  any  county  or  faunal  area  ?  And  Query: — 
Would  it  not  be  easier  to  sift  the  value  of  each  record  if  it 
were  primarily  placed  in  some  such  form  ?  also  to  illustrate 
this  and  to  reply  to  it  ? 

To  correspond  and  ask  for  further  data  and  corroborative 
facts  in  connexion  with  all  records  of  rarities  consumes  the 
time  of  a  working  naturalist.  To  minimize  this  loss  of  time 
seems  desirable. 

Example. — A  correspondent  writes  : — "  Dear  H.-B.  You 
record  in  'Ibis^  for  June  1884  the  occurrence  of  Ruticilla 
/i/y5  from  Peutland  Skerries,  dated  31st  March,  1884.  Please 
inform  me  time  of  day  it  was  captured  or  first  seen." 

Instead  of  this,  it  might  be  : — "  Dear  H.-B.  :  vide  Record 


352  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

No,  2,  June  188-4<^  Ibis,  }).  350,  Ruticilla  titys.  Wanted,  time 
of  day  first  seen  or  captured." 

The  reason  for  this  query  might  be  that  tlie  correspondent 
wished  to  compare  the  time  witli  an  occurrence  at  some  otlier 
contiguous  station,  or  to  correlate  with  it  a  large  "  rush  "  of 
migrants. 

When  one  has  often  a  dozen  or  more  such  letters  to  reply 
to,  the  time  could  be  reduced  by  method. 

Yours  &c., 

J.  A.  Harvie-Brown, 

Memher  Migration  Committee  of  the  Brit.  Assoc. 


Bremen,  May  8,  1884. 
Sirs,— As  the  Editors  of  '  The  Ibis  '  (1884,  p.  116)  express 
certain  doubts  in  regard  to  the  validity  of  the  newly  described 
species  of  Ostrich  {Struthio  mofi/bdophcmes),  I  may  state  that, 
to  all  who  have  seen  specimens  alive,  there  can  be  not  the 
slightest  doubt  that  it  is  a  good  one.  When  in  Basel 
(Switzerland)  a  fortnight  ago,  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  a 
flock  of  twenty-six  specimens  in  the  Zoological  Garden,  depo- 
sited there  by  Mr.  Carl  Ilagenbeck,  of  Hamburg.  There 
were  fifteen  males,  all  adult,  and  eleven  females.  Afterwards 
I  saw  a  pair  in  the  small  zoological  garden  of  Mr.  Nill  at  Stutt- 
gart *.  All  the  males  agreed  exactly  with  the  characters 
pointed  out  by  Dr.  Ueicheiiow — i.  e.  the  naked  parts  of  the 
head,  neck,  thighs,  and  legs  were  delicate  slate-grey,  instead 
of  flesh-red,  as  in  Struthio  camelus.  A  very  striking  cha- 
racter in  coloration  of  the  naked  parts  is  also  that  the  bill, 
with  the  exception  of  the  brownish  tip,  and  the  gape,  as  well 
as  the  middle  portions  of  the  front  of  the  tibia,  are  fine  pink. 
As  it  seemed  to  me,  the  species  was  smaller  in  size  than 
S.  camelus.  But  whether  I  may  be  right  in  the  latter  sug- 
gestion or  not,  the  difference  in  the  coloration  of  the  naked 
parts  is  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  species  at  a  glance ;  and 

*  This  little  garden  contains  very  interesting  hybrids  (young  and  full- 
grownj  of  Ursus  arctos  and  Ursus  maritimus.  One  old  specimen  is  in 
the  musenni  of  Stuttofart. 


Letters,  Aiinouncements,  iSfc.  353 

as  these  characters  are  shown  in  a  large  number  of  speci- 
mens to  be  constant,  I  see  no  reason  for  not  admitting  this 
form  of  Ostrich  as  a  distinct  species.  It  has  in  every  respect 
as  much  right  to  stand  as  a  species  as,  for  instance,  Rhea 
macroi'hyncha,  Scl.^  or  Dromceus  irroratus,  Bartlett. 

Struthio  molybdophanes  has  been  sent  from  the  Somali 
countr}^  by  the  indefatigable  collectors  of  Mr.  Carl  Hagen- 
beck,  the  well-known  dealer  of  Hamburg,  to  whom  science 
is  indebted  for  many  new  and  interesting  animals  introduced 
into  the  European  market.  Mr.  Hagenbeck^s  latest  expe- 
ditions to  the  Somali  country  have  been  especially  fruitful. 
When  in  Hamburg  last  year,  I  had  the  pleasure,  in  a  collec- 
tion of  animals  just  arrived  from  the  Somali  country,  of  seeing 
an  example  of  a  new  species  of  Ass  [Equus)  and  two  new 
Antelopes. 

Yours  &c., 

O.   FiNSCH. 


Zoological  Museum,  Turin. 
June  lOtb,  1884. 

Sirs, — More  than  a  year  has  elapsed  since,  having  lost 
the  use  of  my  right  arm  nnd  hand,  1  have  been  obliged  to 
postpone  to  a  better  time  the  publication  of  the  Introduction 
to  my  '  Ornitologia  della  Papuasia  e  delle  Molucche,'  which 
I  hope  to  bring  forward  some  day.  In  the  meanwhile  I  am 
watching  with  great  interest  whatever  appears  relating  to 
Pa]3uan  ornithology. 

Among  the  papers  recently  published  I  wish  to  offer  a  few 
remarks  first  on  part  vii.  of  the  "  Contributions  to  the 
Zoology  of  New  Guinea,^^  by  Mr.  Ramsay  (Pr.  Linn.  Soc. 
N.  S.  W.  viii.  pp.  15-29,  June  1883).  In  this  paper,  already 
noticed  in  ^  The  Ibis/  1884,  p.  210,  Mr.  Ramsay  describes 
several  species  as  new. 

(1)  Poecilodryas  sylvia,  p.  19.  Evidently  this  is  the  bird 
which,  in  the  'Abstract^  of  the  Proc.  Linn.  Soc.  N,  S.  W., 
31st  January,  1883,  p.  3,  appeared  as  Poecilodryas  melanoleuca, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  is  the  bird  described  by  me  as 


354  Letters,  Announcements,  S^c. 

Myiolestes  bimaculatus,    and    which    stands    as  Poecilodryas 
bmiaculata  in  the  second  part  of  my  '  Ornitologia/  p.  85. 

(2)  Myzomela  eques,  var.  This  pretended  variety  of  M. 
eques  is  described  as  wanting  the  red  on  the  throat  in  the 
female^  and  as  being,  on  the  whole,  a  larger  bird.  1  have 
already  shown  {op.  cit.  p.  302)  that  the  specimens  of  M.  eques 
vary  a  little  as  regards  the  dimensions  ;  as  to  the  female 
wanting  the  red  on  the  throat,  does  not  the  specimen  belong 
to  another  species,  M.  obscura  ? 

(3)  Erythrara  trichrea,  var.  I  have  compared  some  New- 
Guinea  specimens  with  others  from  Halmahera  and  Ternate 
{E.  modesta.  Wall.),  and  I  have  found  that  they  are  not  dif- 
ferent ;  the  slight  brown-yellow  tint  on  the  sides  of  the  neck 
is  scarcely  perceptible  and  even  wanting  in  some  Moluccan 
specimens. 

(4)  Eurostopodus  astrolabce.  From  Mr.  Ramsay's  descrip- 
tion I  should  say  that  the  bird  mentioned  is  no  Eurosto- 
podus,  but  a  Lyncornis,  and  most  likely  Lyncornis  papuensis 
(Schleg.). 

(5)  ^gothelesl  plumifera  may  be  a  good  species,  but 
more  specimens  are  required  to  settle  its  distinctness  from 
jE.  bennetti. 

(6)  Paradisea  susannae,  as  already  pointed  out  by  the 
Editors  of  '  The  Ibis/  is  P.  decora,  Salv.  &  Godm. 

(7)  Rhamphomantis  rollesi.  The  author  does  not  point  out 
in  what  respect  his  bird  differs  from  R.  megarhynchus  (G.  R. 
Gr.),  the  only  known  species  of  the  genus,  which  is  not 
even  mentioned  by  Mr.  Ramsay,  and  from  his  description 
it  is  impossible  to  gather  wdiat  is  the  difference. 

(8)  Siitella  albifrons.  I  cannot  make  out  that  this  is  dif- 
ferent from  S.  papuensis  (Schleg.),  of  which  Mr.  Ramsay 
makes  no  mention,  although  it  is  the  only  New-Guinea 
species  previously  known. 

(9)  jEluraa'dus  melanocephalus.  Mr.  Ramsay  compares 
this  supposed  new  species  with  AL.  arfakianus  and  jE.  mela- 
notis,  but  I  must  say  that  I  have  failed  to  catch  in  Avhat 
respect  it  differs. 

In  conclusion  I  doubt  whether  any  of  the  nine  species  or 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  355 

varieties  described  by  Mr.  Ramsay  as  new  will  really  stand 
as  such. 

Very  important  papers  are  those  published  by  Mr.  Sclater 
on  the  "  Timor-Laut  or  Tenimber  Group  o£  Islands  "  (P.Z.  S. 
1883,  pp.  48-58,  191-200)  and  one  by  Dr.  A.  B.  Meyer, 
'  Ueber  neue  und  ungeniigend  bekannte  Vogel/  etc.  (pp.  1- 
64) .  It  is  impossible  to  give  an  opinion  on  the  many  new 
forms  described  in  the  last  paper  without  actual  comparison, 
but,  judging  from  what  I  know  of  the  geographical  distri- 
bution of  the  birds  in  the  Papuan  subregion,  I  should  say 
that  several  forms  from  Timor-Laut,  described  as  new  by 
Dr.  Meyer,  and  which  by  Mr.  Sclater  have  been  attributed 
to  Ke-Islands  species,  must  be  really  distinct.  I  think  that 
such  will  be  found  to  be  the  case  with  Geojfroyus  timorlaoensis 
and  Philemon  timorlaoensis.  Rather  unexpected  comes  the 
new  Artamus  mmschenbrceki,  Meyer,  allied  to  A.  leucogaster  ; 
doubtfully  good  species  appear  to  me  Calornis  circumscripta 
and  Ptilopus  flavovirescens. 

As  to  the  Urospizias  from  Timor-Laut,  which  Dr.  Meyer 
attributes  with  a  query  to  U.  albiventris,  Salvad.,  from  the  Ke 
Islands,  I  suspect  that  it  must  be  a  different  species.  I  take 
this  opportunity  to  mention  that  U.  albiventris  is  missing  in 
the  very  recent  and  important  '  List  of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of 
Prey,'  by  Mr.  Gurney. 

Also  I  am  much  inclined  to  think  that  the  bird  from  Timor- 
Laut  attributed  by  Mr.  Sclater  to  Corvus  validissimus  must 
belong  to  a  different  species,  as  the  true  C.  validissimus  in- 
habits a  very  limited  region,  and,  from  what  I  know,  is  only 
to  be  found  in  the  group  of  Halmahera,  or  Northern  Mo- 
luccas, and  does  not  even  reach  the  Amboyna  or  Coram  group. 
Furthermore,  Dicruropsis  bracteata  and  Stigmatops  squamata 
from  Timor-Laut,  the  last  doubtfully  identified  by  Mr.  Sclater, 
require  comparison. 

Lastly,  I  wish  to  point  out  that  in  a  recent  paper  by  Dr. 
Finsch,  "  Ueber  Vogel  der  Siidsee,"  at  p.  29,  the  Goura  from 
Port  Moresby  is  called  G.  scheepmakeri.  It  seems  that  Dr. 
Finsch  has  only  obtained  an  adult  male  (No.  1386) ;  still  he 
adds  that  the  young  birds  want  the  brown-chestnut  tip  to  the 


356  Letters,  Announcements ,  S^t. 

wing-coverts,  and  that  they  quite  agree,  even  in  the  smallest 
particulars,  with  the  description  of  the  type  specimen.  It 
follows  from  this  that  Dr.  Finsch  identifies  with  his  G.  scheep- 
makeri  the  bird  which  I  have  named  Goura  albertisi.  I  do 
not  wish  to  repeat  here  all  the  reasons  which,  in  two  papers 
published  by  me  on  the  subject,  I  have  adduced  before 
coming  to  the  conclusion  that  the  specimens  of  the  genus 
Goura  from  Hall  Bay,  Avhich  are  similar  to  those  from  Port 
Moresby,  are  specifically  different  from  the  type  of  G.  sclieep- 
makeri,  with  which  1  carefully  compared  several  of  them. 
Those  reasons  have  been  recapitulated  in  my  '  Ornitologia/ 
iii.  p.  205.  Here  I  only  wish  to  bring  forward  two  argu- 
ments which  disprove  Dr.  Finsch's  identification  : — 

1st.  The  type  of  G.  scheepniakeri  has  the  wing-speculum, 
formed  by  the  greater  coverts  of  the  secondaries,,  of  a  much 
darker  grey  than  several  adult  birds  and  a  young  specimen 
seen  by  me  of  my  G.  albertisi ;  all  these  have  the  speculum 
grey,  exactly  of  the  same  colour.  It  is  worth  noticing  that 
in  the  allied  species,  G.  sclateri,  the  young  birds  have  not 
the  speculum  darker  than  the  adult. 

2nd.  Dr.  Finsch  told  me  that  he  received  the  type  spe- 
cimen of  G.  scheepmakeri  from  somebody  of  the  Leiden  Mu- 
seum, and  that  most  likely  it  had  been  obtained  by  Solomon 
Miiller  near  Princess  Marianna  Straits.  If  such  is  the  case 
it  is  utterly  impossible  that  G.  scheepmakeri  should  be  iden- 
tical with  my  G.  albertisi,  as  between  the  area  supposed  to 
be  inhabited  by  G.  scheepmakeri  and  that  inhabited  by  G. 
albertisi  there  is  the  extensive  region,  through  which  runs 
the   Fly  river,   which  is  inhabited   by  Goura  sclateri,  quite 

different  from  both. 

Yours  &c., 

T.  Salvadori. 


Mr.  Whitely  has  kindly  sent  us  the  following  extracts  from 
a  letter  received  from  his  son,  the  well-known  collector  Mr. 
Henry  Whitely,  dated  from  his   encampment  in  the  interior 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  357 

of  British  Guiana,  oue  day^s  journey  from  Roraima  (cf.  Ibis^ 
1882,  p.  76,  and  1883,  p.  203). 

"  Eoraima,  Oct.  15,  1883. 

"  I  have  been  away  from  my  camp  for  six  weeks  near 
Eoraima,  and  have  ascended  the  slope  twice  to  the  foot  of 
the  vertical  rock,  which  is  over  7000  feet  in  height ;  so  that 
the  height  of  the  mountain  must  be  nearly  9000  feet.  I  have 
made  a  lot  of  observations  for  the  R.  G.  S. ;  but  these  are 
too  long  to  copy  now,  as  the  Indian  who  takes  this  letter 
down  starts  today.  I  shall  be  here  probably  six  months 
longer,  and  shall  then  move  down  to  the  river  Caramang, 
where  I  may  stay  three  or  four  months  collecting.  But  I 
shall  not  go  on  to  the  Merume  Mountains,  but  come  straight 
on  from  Caramang  to  Camasaca,  and  thence  to  Bartica 
Grove.  My  collection  up  to  the  present  time  is  a  very  fine 
one,  I  have  got  over  thirty  species  more  to  be  added  to  the 
birds  of  British  Guiana.  I  have  bought  four  '  woodskins/ 
which  are  stationed  on  the  Atapunam,  and  ray  two  boats  are 
on  the  Curubury  river;  so  that  I  have  kept  open  the  means 
of  getting  back.  But  you  must  not  be  anxious  if  you  do  not 
receive  letters,  as  h  is  very  difficult  to  get  them  sent.  I  have 
got  sj)ecimens  of  Campylopterus  hyperythrus,  Lophornis  pavo- 
ninus,  Diglossa  major,  and  another  beautiful  little  Lophornis, 
with  a  chestnut-brown  crown  and  spangled  whiskers;  likewise 
a  few  more  males  oi  Heliodoxa  xanthogonys ;  but  this  is  a  rare 
bird.  The  female  of  L.  pavoninus  is  a  very  interesting  bird, 
beautifully  speckled  on  the  throat  and  breast.  I  am  very 
busy  with  the  butterflies  now.  When  I  arrived  here  I  put 
up  a  very  large  house,  just  below  where  I  was  collecting  last 
time,  near  a  wood,  as  the  Indians  told  me  I  should  get  no 
leaves  for  thatching  nearer  to  Roraima,  which  was  true,  I 
found.  I  waited  some  months  till  the  birds  were  in  good 
plumage,  and  then  went  on  to  Roraima;  it  is  one  day's 
journey.  I  am  not  very  high  here,  and  it  was  not  more  than 
3700  feet  when  I  got  to  the  foot  of  Roraima.  I  found  some 
Indian  huts  there,  and  two  of  these  the  Indians  gave  up  to 
me.     The  huts  were  on  the  Savannah  (height  about  3000 


358  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

feet)  ;  but  I  sent  my  Indians  up  on  the  mountain  to  a  height 
of  5500  feet,  and  kept  four  Indian  boys  going  up  every  day 
to  bring  me  down  the  birds.  I  was  up  three  times  myself. 
I  had  a  path  cut  through  the  forest  to  get  to  a  place  whence 
I  thought  it  was  possible  to  ascend  the  mountain ;  and  I  took 
fourteen  Indians  with  me  to  make  the  attempt,  but  found 
it  impossible  with  the  means  at  our  command.  I  have 
made  plans  of  the  mountains,  but  must  leave  them  until  I 
arrive  in  England,  and  then  I  will  write  another  paper  for 
the  R.  G.  S.  I  have  a  large  field  here  planted  with  cassava. 
I  do  not  know  wdiether  it  will  be  ready  by  the  time  I  shall 
leave,  but  I  have  taken  all  these  precautions  in  case  of  neces- 
sity. At  any  rate,  it  will  come  in  for  the  Indians,  who  have 
kept  me  well  supplied  with  food.  I  planted  some  of  my 
seeds,  but  they  came  up  and  then  died  off.  I  suppose  the 
soil  was  not  suited  for  them ;  the  only  things  that  came  up 
well  and  that  I  enjoyed,  too,  were  the  radishes.  You  may 
imagine  that  I  am  very  busy  now.  I  have  made  two  journeys 
away  from  my  house — one  to  Roraima,  and  the  other  to  get 
Lophornis  pavoninus ;  but  I  shall  make  no  more  till  I  start 
for  the  Caramang,  as  my  boots  are  getting  rather  worn.  I 
only  brought  two  pairs  with  me,  and  I  ftiust  preserve  one 
pair  for  coming  back.  I  have  got  lots  of  fowls,  so  that 
I  eat  one  now  and  again  for  Sunday^s  dinner,  and  have  also  lots 
of  eggs.  I  took  plenty  of  benzine  collas  with  me,  and  have 
washed  with  arsenical  soap  the  feet  and  bills  of  the  birds,  so 
that  my  collection  is  in  fine  order.  I  have  got  a  fine  Pene- 
lope, much  larger  than  P.  marail,  and  also  some  different 
Hawks  and  Owls  and  a  tiny  little  Dove.  I  hope  to  be  in 
Georgetown  by  August  or  September  of  next  year.  You  can 
still  address  newspapers  and  letters  to  Bartica  Grove,  and,  if 
opportunity  offers,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kellan  will  forward  them  to 
me,  just  as  he  sent  me  the  last  packet.^'' 


News  of  Travellers  mid  Collectors. — Herr  F.  Bohndorff 
"  the  last  man  who  left  Khartoum  before  it  was  hemmed  in,''' 
has  brought  back   a  good   series  of  birds,  collected  in  the 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  359 

Niam-niara  country^  where  lie  accompanied  Dr.  Junker  during 
his  recent  expedition.  A  set  of  these  have  been  secured  for 
the  National  Collection ;  and  Mr.  Sharpc  has  exhibited  some 
of  the  more  striking  forms  at  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Liu- 
nean  Society.  We  observed  fine  examples  of  Turacus  gi- 
ganteus,  Corythaix  schuetti,  Musophaga  rossa,  and  of  Buceros 
atratus,  and  other  species^  which  indicate  that  the  fauna  of 
the  West  Coast  extends  into  the  valley  of  the  Welle.  Mr. 
Sharpe  has  described  several  species  of  the  collection  as  new, 
amongst  which  are  Crater ojms  bohndorffi,  Sigmodus  grisei- 
mentalis,  and  Pionias  bolmdorjffi. 

Mr.  C.  W.  Rossetj  who  was  with  Dr.  Riebeck  in  Socotra, 
is  just  preparing  to  start  for  Ceylon,  whence,  after  a  short 
stay,  he  will  make  an  excursion  to  the  Maldives  and  Lacca- 
dives,  and  endeavour  to  increase  our  somewhat  scanty  know- 
ledge of  their  fauna  and  flora.  His  address  is  to  the  care  of 
the  German  Consulate,  Colombo,  Ceylon. 

Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes  is  in  London  and  busy  preparing  a 
volume  on  his  experiences  in  the  Eastern  Archipelago.  This 
completed,  he  proposes  to  return  to  the  East  and  explore 
the  Owen-Stanley  range  in  South-eastern  New  Guinea, 
making  his  way,  if  possible,  from  Port  Moresby  to  the 
eastern  coast  of  the  great  peninsula. 

Of  Mr.  Henry  Whitely^s  recent  doings  in  British  Guiana 
we  have  been  able  to  give  an  account  in  his  own  words.  Mr. 
E.  F.  im  Thurn,  who  is  now  settled  as  a  magistrate  in  the 
Pomeroon-Kiver  district  in  the  same  colony,  is  likewise 
anxious  to  have  a  try  to  get  to  the  summit  of  Roraima,  and 
has  issued  amongst  his  friends  a  printed  appeal  on  this  sub- 
ject, which  has  attracted  considerable  notice,  and  will  pro- 
bably be  brought  before  the  British  Association  at  their 
Montreal  meeting. 

Dr.  F.  Leuthner  is  also  making  preparations  for  a  natura- 
list's excursion  to  South  America,  and  has  selected  the  Upper 
Orinoco  as  a  locality  hitherto  little  explored,  for  which  he 
hopes  to  be  able  to  depart  this  autumn. 

M.  Taczanowski  informs  us  that  the  two  collectors  of  the 
Warsaw  Museum,  Messrs,  Stolzmann  and  Siemiradzski,  have 


360  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

suffered  somewliat  in  health  in  Western  Ecuador,  and  will 
return  to  Europe  with  their  collections  at  the  close  of  this 
year.  

New  Birds  in  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens. — Some  very 
interesting  birds  have  lately  been  added  to  the  Zoological 
Society ^s  living  collection.  Three  fine  males  of  the  Lesser  Bird 
of  Paradise  [Paradisea  minor)  have  been  brought  home  from 
New  Guinea  by  Mr.Kettlewell,  of  the  steam-yacht '  March esa.^ 
In  the  Parrot-house  is  also  a  fine  example  of  the  curious 
Cochoa  viridis  of  the  Himalayas,  the  first,  we  believe,  that 
has  reached  Europe  alive.  In  one  of  the  large  bird-cages  in 
the  Insect-house  are  a  pair  o?  Eclectus  po/ychloriis  (green  male 
and  red  female),  which  get  on  so  well  together  that  it  is 
hoped  they  may  take  to  nesting.  In  the  same  building  is 
to  be  seen  a  fine  specimen  of  a  most  remarkable  Ground- 
Cuckoo  [Carpococcyx  radiatus),  Avhicli  in  gait  and  habits 
clearly  betrays  the  Gallinaceous  affinities  of  the  Cuculidae 
predicted  of  them  by  Garrod  and  Eorbes  from  their  internal 
structure. 

Other  birds,  not  elsewhere  to  be  seen  alive,  are  examples 
of  Zosterops  palpebrosus  of  India  and  Z.  simplex  of  China, 
and  a  specimen  of  the  very  singular  Polyborine  form,  Poly- 
boroides  typicus,  from  West  Africa. 


Rochebrune  v.  Nitzsch. — In  the  second  livraison  of  vol.  viii. 
of  the  'Actes '  of  the  Linnean  Society  of  Bordeaux  (March 
1884),  Dr.  A.  T.  de  Rochebrune,  Assistant  Naturalist  at  the 
Museum  of  Paris,  has  commenced  what  promises  to  be  an 
important  memoir  on  the  Birds  of  Senegambia.  We  will 
defer  a  general  notice  of  this  work  until  its  conclusion ;  but 
"we  wish  to  call  attention  to  Dr.  llochebrune's  chapter  on  the 
axillary  plume  of  the  biixVs  feather  in  different  groups,  in 
which  he  most  positively  controverts  some  of  Nitzsch^s  dicta 
on  this  subject.  NitzscVs  conclusions  on  other  points  of 
the  structure  of  birds  which  he  examined  are  so  uniformly 
accurate  that  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  he  can  have  made 


Letters,  Announcements ,  ^c.  361 

so   many  erroneous   observations   on  the  axillary  plume  as 
Dr.  Rochebrune  imputes  to  liim. 


Houbaras  as  Food. — ""^  Three  Houbaras  were  shot,  and  on  our 
arrival  in  camp  (between  Souakin  and  Cassala)  we  found  the 
cook-boy  had  caught  one  in  a  noose  :  we  were  glad  to  dis- 
cover sporting  tendencies  in  our  servants.  I  never  ate  a 
more  delicious  bird  than  the  Houbara.  It  is  but  too  fre- 
quently the  case  that  the  game  of  these  countries  is  dry  and 
unpalatable — at  any  rate,  it  would  be  thought  so  in  civi- 
lized countries  ;  but  this  bird  would  be  a  great  delicacy 
anywhere.  Its  flesh  when  cooked  is  dark  brown  and  firm, 
very  much  resembling  that  of  a  Goose,  and  has  a  flavour 
entirely  its  own.  The  birds  that  we  shot  were  very  fat,  in 
excellent  condition,  and  were  very  good  eating,  both  hot  and 
cold.^^ — James's  Wild  Tribes  of  the  Soudari, 


News  of  the  Kilima-ndjaro  Expedition. — Letters  have  been 
received  from  Mr.  H.  H.  Johnston  dated  from  the  British 
Residency,  Zanzibar,  May  13th.  After  consultation  with 
Sir  John  Kirk,  Mr.  Johnston  had  selected  the  INIombasa 
route  for  Kilima-ndjaro,  and  was  expecting  to  depart  for 
that  port  in  about  a  fortnight^s  time.  The  country  between 
Mombasa  and  Chaga  was  said  to  be  quiet,  and  to  present  no 
serious  difficulties  in  the  way.  Mr.  Johnston  had  succeeded 
in  obtaining  the  services  of  three  of  the  bird-skinners  that 
had  been  employed  by  Dr.  Fischer,  and  of  a  botanical  col- 
lector trained  under  Sir  John  Kirk,  of  whose  kindness  and 
assistance  he  speaks  in  the  highest  terms.  Mr.  Johnston,  in 
spite  of  the  trying  climate  of  Zanzibar,  was  in  excellent 
health  and  had  strong  hopes  of  the  success  of  the  expedition. 


Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago. — At  the  monthly 
meeting  held  March  6th  last,  after  the  reception  of  donations 
and  election  of  new  members  and  regular  business  of  the 
meeting,  Mr.  B.  T.  Gault  read  a  paper  on  Picus  nuttalli, 
with  an  account  of  its  nesting  in  California.  Mr.  G.  L. 
Toppan   exhibited  a  fine  male  Milvulus  tyrannus,  with  tail 

SER.  V. VOL.  II.  2d 


36,2  Letters,  Announcements ,  ^c. 

104  inclies  long,  lately  collected  in  California.  Mr.  H.  K. 
Coale  made  comparisons  (illnstrated  with  the  specimens) 
between  Cypseloides  niger  borealis  from  Colorado  and  Cyp- 
selus  apus  of  Europe. 

Hodgson's  Ornithological  Drawings. — The  Library  of  the 
Zoological  Society  of  London  has  received  a  very  important 
addition  in  the  shape  of  the  original  set  of  Mr.  Brian  H. 
Hodgson's  drawings  of  Himalayan  birds,  prepared  by  native 
artists  under  Mr.  Hodgson's  superintendence  during  his  long 
residence  in  Nipal  and  Sikhim. .  The  series  comprises  1104 
sheets,  and  will,  when  bound,  form  12  volumes.  For  the 
last  twelve  years  the  drawings  have  been  lent  to  Mr.  Allan. 
Hume,  who  has  now  handed  them  over  to  the  Society  at  the 
request  of  Mr.  Hodgson. 

The  late  Count  E.   Turati's  Collection. — Count  Salvador! 
informs  us  that  the  splendid  collection  of  mounted  birds  be- 
longing to  the  late  Count  E.  Turati  has  been  presented  to  the- 
city  of  Milan.     We  trust  that  every  care  will  be  taken  of  this 
valuable  series,  which  contains  many  types  and  ornithic  rarities. 


Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union. — 
The  Annual  Meeting  of  the  B.  O.  U.  was  held  at  6  Tenterden 
Street  on  Wednesday  the  21st  May,  at  6  p.m.,  Mr.  Sclater  in 
the  Chair,  Lord  Lilford  (the  President)  being  unavoidably 
absent  through  illness. 

The  Minutes  of  the  last  Meeting  having  been  read  and 
confirmed,  the  B.  O.  U.  Committee  presented  the  following 
Report : — The  original  number  of  Members  when  the  B.  O.  U. 
was  founded  in  1859  was  only  twenty.  At  the  last  Anniversary 
the  Union  consisted  of  125  Ordinary  Members,  1  Extra- 
ordinary Member,  9  Honorary  Members,  and  19  Foreign 
Members,  making  a  total  of  154  Members.  Of  these  13 
are  Original  Members,  so  that  we  have  only  to  regret  the 
loss  of  seven  of  the  founders  of  the  Union.  Since  the  last 
Anniversary  Meeting  the  losses  by  death  have  been  five, 
viz.  two  Ordinary  Members   (Mr.  W.  A.  Forbes  and  Mr. 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  363 

Williiam  Forster)  and  three  Foreign  Members  (Dr.  W.  C.  H. 
Peters^  Professor  Reinhardt,  and  Dr.  H.  Schlegel),  making 
the  present  list  consist  of  123  Ordinary,  1  Extraordinary, 
9  Honorary,  and  16  Foreign  Members — together  149  Mem- 
bers. The  Candidates  for  admission  to  the  Union  at  this 
Meeting  are  sixteen,  which  is  the  largest  number  proposed 
at  any  Anniversary  since  the  foundation  of  the  Union,  and 
gives  evidence  of  the  increasing  popularity  of  the  B.  O.  U. 

The  Accounts  for  the  volume  of  ^The  Ibis^  for  1883,  as 
also  for  the  '  Ibis  List  of  British  Birds,^  having  been  discussed 
and  passed,  the  following  new  members  were  balloted  for 
and  duly  elected  : — Geoffrey  Fowell  Buxton,  Sunny  Hill, 
Thorpe,  Norwich  ;  Joseph  Whitaker.,  Rainworth  Lodge, 
Mansfield ;  Major  E.  A.  Butler,  Belfast ;  C.  J.  Holdsworth, 
Wilmslow,  Cheshire  ;  Capt.  C.  T.  Bingham,  Moulmein, 
Burmah ;  Lieut,  Henry  Barnes,  Commissariat  Department, 
India  ;  William  Huxton  Davison,  Ootacamund,  South  India ; 
J.  G.  Goodchild,  28  Jermyn  Street,  S.W. ;  Henry  Ogg  Forbes, 
Rubislaw  Den,  Aberdeen;  Herbert  Laugton,  115  Queen^s 
Road,  Brighton ;  R.  L.  Patterson,  Croft  House,  Holy  wood, 
CO.  Down  ',  H.  Hey  wood  Jones,  Larkhill,  West  Derby, 
Liverpool ;  Frank  E.  Beddard,  Zoological  Society^s  Gardens, 
N.W. ;  Abel  Chapman,  Silksworth  House,  Sunderland;  A.  S. 
Vesey,  3  Campden  Villas,  Barnes ;  and  W.  C.  Tait,  Oporto. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  year  1884-5  : — 
President,  The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Lilford;  Secretary,  H.  E. 
Dresser,  Esq. ;  Editors,  P.  L.  Sclater,  Esq.,  and  Howard 
Saunders,  Esq.  Mr.  F.  DuCane  Godman  was  elected  on  the 
Committee  in  place  of  Mr.  W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  who  retired  by 
rotation.  A  vote  of  thanks  to  the  Chairman  was  proposed  by 
Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor,  seconded  by  Mr.  W.  H.  Hudleston,  and 
carried  unanimously.  Mr.  R.  Bowdler  Sharpe  exhibited 
and  made  a  few  remarks  on  the  peculiar  new  European  Nut- 
hatch {Sittd  whiteheadi)  lately  discovered  by  Mr.  Whitehead 
in  the  mountains  of  Corsica.  The  Meeting  then  adjourned, 
and  the  Annual  Dii;iner  was,  as  usual,  held,  and  was  attended 
by  about  thirty  Members  and  guests. 


364  Letters,  Announcements ,  3fc. 

Obituary.    Professor  Schlegel. — Our  Foreign  Member, 
Hermann   Schlegel,  the  late  distinguished  Director  of  the 
Leiden  Museum   and  author  o£  many  well-known  ornitho- 
logical   works,   was   of   German    origin,    and   was   born    at 
Altenburg,  in  Saxony,  in  1804.    Inspired  by  an  innate  love 
of  natural   objects,   and  not   being  satisfied   to   follow   his 
father^s  trade,  Schlegel  betook  himself,  when  quite  young, 
to  the   study  of   zoology  at  Vienna,   whence,  in   1825,  he 
was  induced  to  go    to    Leiden,    in  the    hope   of  obtaining 
an   aj)pointment   as    Naturalist  in  the  East-Indian  posses- 
sions  of   Holland.      The  vacant   post  having  been  already 
filled,  Schlegel  was  obliged  to  content  himself  at  first  with 
being  amanuensis  to.  Temminck,  but  a  few  years  later  (29th 
November,  1828)  was  appointed  Conservator  of  the  Museum. 
Uj^on   Temminck's    death    in    1858,    Schlegel   was    named 
Director,  and  Prof.  Van   der   Hoeven,  whose  claims  it  was 
difficult  to  ignore,  Over-Director  of  the  IMuseum.     This  un- 
satisfactory arrangement  did   not  last  long;    and  in   1860 
Schlegel  became  sole  Director  by  Van  der  Hoeven^s  resigna- 
tion, and  retained  the  post  until  his  death,  on  the  17th  of 
January  last.     Schlegel  was  a  highly  cultivated  man  in  many 
respects,  and  wrote  and  spoke  German,  French,  Dutch,  and 
English  with  equal  facility.      His  fluency  in   English  was 
wonderful  for  one  who  had  never  been  in  our  country.     His 
best-known  ornithological  works  are  those  on  the  birds  of 
Holland    ('  De   Vogels  van    Nederland    beschreven    en    af- 
gebeeld '),  published  at  Leiden,  1854-58 ;  his  '  Revue  Cri- 
tique des  oiseaux  d^Europe  ^  (1814);  the   '  Recherches  sur 
la  Faune  de  Madagascar^    (1868),  prepared  in  conjunction 
with  the  traveller  Pollen;  the  'Monographic  des  Loxiens,^ 
written  jointly  by  him  and  Prince  Charles  Bonaparte ;  and  the 
'Revue  methodique  et  critique  des  collections  du  Museum 
d'Histoire  Naturelle  des  Pays-Bas.'     This  last-named  work, 
which  on  its  completion  was  arranged  to  form  eight  thin 
volumes,  although  pi^epared  in  a  somewhat  superficial  way, 
and  in  accordance  with  the  occasionally  fanciful   views  of 
affinities  held  by  its  illustrious  author,  will  long  remain  a 
most  important  work  of  reference  to  ornithologists  who  are 
engaged  upon  the  study  of  the  ornis  of  the  Oriental  Region. 


THE    I  B  I  S. 


FIFTH   SERIES. 


No.  VIII.     OCTOBER  1884. 


XXXIX. — Notes  on  the  Birds  of  the  Pyrenees. 
By  Howard  Saunders. 

In  publishing  these  observations  on  the  ornithology  of  the 
Pyrenees,  I  do  not  pretend  to  have  explored  the  whole  of 
that  great  mountain-chain^  or  even  to  have  worked  up  any 
district  except  the  western  one.     To  have  done  this^  even 
imperfectly,  it  would  have  been  necessary  to  spend  at  least 
three  springs  and  summers  in  various  portions  of  the  chain ; 
and  to  obtain  the  best  results  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that 
the  naturalist  should   make  the   Spanish  side  his  principal 
collecting-ground,  a  course  which  would  involve  considerable 
hardship.     As  regards  the  French  side,  where  all  reasonable 
comforts  can   be  obtained,   the  word  "  Pyrenees,"  in   the 
tourist  sense  of  the  word,  means  the  "  show-district,"  bounded 
by  Eaux-Chaudes,  Eaux-Bonnes,  and  Gabas  on  the  west,  and 
by  Luchon  and  Venasque  on  the  east — a   mountain-mass 
partially  pierced  by  narrow  gorges  and  containing  the  most 
lofty  summits,    unfavourable   therefore,   on   the   whole,  to 
bird-life.      I   have  visited  this   district,   but   never   having 
been  able  to  remain  there  later  than  the  month  of  May,  my 
experiences  are  limited.      In  that  portion  of   the   eastern 
SER.  V. — VOL.  ir.  2e 


366  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

district  which  lies  between  Venasque  and  Prats  de  Mollo 
I  have  not  yet  been  ;  but  I   know  something    of   the    Ca- 
talan portion  on  both   sides    of  the   frontier,  owing  to  an 
autumn    visit    to    Amelic-lcs-Bains    and    excursions    round 
Mont  Canigou ;  also  to  many  conversations  with  Dr.  Alfred 
Bardou^  of  Fontainebleau,  whom  I  met  there,  and  his  col- 
lectors.    He  was  an  agreeable,   although  somewhat  eccen- 
tric, companion,   whose    delight  was    to  wander  about  the 
mountains,  living  with  the  peasantry,  doctoring  them  gratis, 
and  collecting  eggs.      He  would  never  allow  a  gun    to  be 
taken  out  with  him,  and  instant  dismissal  from  his  employ 
would  have  followed  the  destruction  of  any  bird  from  the 
nest,   M'hether  for  identification  or    any  other  reason.     To 
him  I  am  indebted  for  some  thoroughly  trustworthy  infor- 
mation about  many  of  the  Pyrenean  birds ;  but,  unfortunately, 
nothing  would  induce  him  to   publish  his  experiences.     It 
would  be  interesting  to  know  what  has  become  of  his  collec- 
tion of  eggs,  which  must  have  been  a  very  fine  one,  and  his 
notes,  if  any.     Every  thing  was  sold  at  his  death ;  but  I  can 
learn  no  particulars,  for  to  amateur  naturalists  in  France  he 
seems  to  have  been  quite  unknown.     At  Perpignan,  also,  I 
was  acquainted  with  the  late  Dr.  Louis  Companyo,  who  pub- 
lished in  1863  his  'Histoire  naturelle  desPyrenees-Orientales,' 
containing  many  interesting  details  about  birds.     He  was  a 
fine  old  man,  who  had  been  an  army  surgeon  during  the 
Peninsular  war,  over  eighty  years  of  age  at  the  time  that  I 
knew  him,  but  still  vigorous,  and  delighted  to  talk  over  his 
recollections  of  Spain.     His  catalogue  is  useful  to  any  one 
having  some  previous  knowledge  of  the    country    and    its 
fauna ;   but  to  those  at  a  distance  it  is  a  double-edged  tool, 
for,  with   increasing    age,  the  venerable  doctor  got  rather 
confused  about  his  scientific  names.     Still,  he  was  a  field- 
naturalist,  and  by  their  Catalan  names  he  knew  his  feathered 
friends  and  their  habits  well  enough.     As  regards  the  district 
of  which  Bagneres-de-Bigorre  forms  the  centre,  it  has  been 
explored  better  than  any  other  by  a  working  naturalist,  the 
late  M.  Philippe,  whose  widow  and  daughters  still  prepare  a 
few  birds  brought  in  by  the  guides  and  isard-huuters.     Thanks 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  367 

to  the  courtesy  of  the  Director  of  the  College  of  Oloron, 
where  what  remains  of  Philippe's  collection  is  still  to  be 
seen,  I  possess  a  copy  oE  his  extremely  rare  '  Ornithologie 
Pyreueenne/  published  in  1873,  after  his  death,  from  his 
notes,  by  M.  Cazes.  This  catalogue  would  be  exceedingly 
interesting,  but  for  the  fact  that  the  editor  has  incorporated 
a  number  of  passages  which,  from  the  manner  in  which  they 
are  inserted  in  the  original  MS.,  are  evidently  either  hearsay 
or  mere  extracts  from  other  writers,  for  guidance  and  com- 
parison. It  is  only  by  being  able  to  separate  these  that  the 
work  becomes  of  value ;  but  of  the  conscientiousness  of  the 
writer  there  can  be  no  doubt. 

The  district  with  which  I  am  best  acquainted  is  that  lower 
and  comparatively  wooded  portion  which  lies  between  the  Val 
d'Aspe  and  the  sea.     During  two  winters  and  early  springs 
passed  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  I  made  many  excursions,  and  have 
traversed   the  intervening  ridges  in  all  directions  down  to 
Pamplona,  to  reach  which  the  main  chain  has  to  be  crossed. 
Comparatively  few  people  appear  to  be  aware  that  it  is  not 
the  main  chain,  but  a  mere  spur  of  the  Pyrenees,  which  is 
seen  by  the  traveller  on  his  left  as  he  approaches  the  frontier 
at  the  Bidassoa.     The  main  line  of  the  Pyrenees  is  crossed 
far  in  Spanish   territory,  about  Zumarraga,  and  continues 
westward  under   the  name  of  the    Cantabrian   range;  but 
about  the  latter  portion  I  have  nothing  to  say  at  present. 
As  regards  the  Basque  country  and  Navai-re,  the  passes  do 
not  exceed  5000  feet  in  height,  and  most  of  their  lower  slopes 
are   clothed  with  chestnut,  beech,   and  oak.     In  the  great 
forest  of  Iraty  there  are,  however,  many   square  miles  of 
superb  firs;  but,  like  most  large  forests,  it  is  not  rich  in 
species  of  birds.     Unfortunately,  it  is  practically  impossible 
for  any  one  residing  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  to  carry  a  gun  through 
the  small  mountain-passes  on  the  immediate  frontier,  owing 
to  the  sharp  look-out  kept  for  Carlists.     That  this  precaution 
is  by  no  means  unnecessary,   is   shown  by  the  recent  raid 
made  through  the  Valcarlos  (which  is  the  lower  part  of  the 
Roncesvalles  pass)  to  Orbaiceta;   that  it    is  undesirable  to 
expose  one's  self  to  suspicion,  is  shown  by  the  marvellous 

2e  2 


368  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

promptitude  with  which  the  Carlist  invaders  were  placed  in 
that  condition  which,  according  to  Cromwell_,  "  hath  no 
fellow  !  "  In  the  greater  part  of  Spain  there  is  no  difficulty 
whatever  about  a  gun,  but  just  on  the  frontier  it  is  different. 
And  to  have  given  my  proper  address  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
would  at  any  time  have  insured  the'  attention  of  the  autho- 
rities, for  that  place  was  the  hot-bed  of  Carlist  plots  and 
the  watch-point  of  the  faction. 

So  much  for  my  own  experiences,  whicli  are  merely  set 
down  in  order  that  my  readers  may  know  how  far  I  have 
been,  and  whence  my  sources  of  information  are  derived. 
But  to  supplement  my  defective  knowledge  of  the  French  side, 
there  is  a  work  entitled  '  Catalogue  raisonne  des  Oiseaux  ob- 
serves dans  les  Pyrenees  frangaises  et  les  regions  iimitrophes,^ 
by  M.  Adrien  Lacroix,  of  Toulouse,  whose  acquaintance  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  making  a  few  years  ago,  when  I  was 
enabled  to  inspect  his  collection  of  specimens  obtained  in  the 
Pyrenees  and  the  neighbourhood.  At  his  residence,  in  the 
sunny  plains  of  Gascony,  M.  Lacroix  has  collected  informa- 
tion respecting  the  birds  obtained  or  observed  in  the  Depart- 
ments of  Haute-Garonne,  Aude,  Ariege,  Gers,  Ilerault, 
Haute-Pyrenees,  Tarn,  Tarn-et-Garonne,  and  Pyrenees-Ori- 
entales,  the  result  being  a  list  of  about  350  species,  many 
of  them  of  considerable  interest.  M.  liacroix  has  made 
various  excursions  into  the  mountains,  and  can  by  no  means 
be  considered  a  mere  cabinet  naturalist ;  but  still  there  are 
some  points  upon  which  it  would  be  satisfactory  to  have 
corroborative  details.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  swell  the 
list  by  making  a  complete  catalogue  of  the  sj^ecies  which  are, 
or  ought  to  be^  found  in  the  Pyrenees ;  therefore,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  rarities,  such  as  Pallas's  Sand-Grouse, 
only  those  are  set  down  which  I  have  myself  seen  alive 
or  recently  killed,  and  many  species  are  excluded  which 
undoubtedly  occur,  but  which  I  do  not  find  noted  in  my 
memoranda. 

1.  TuiiDUs  viscivoRUs,  Linn. 

The  Missel-Thrush  is  common  and  resident.     I  observed 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  369 

it  nesting  in  Navarre,  at  an  elevation  of  3000  feet,  on  the 
11th  of  April. 

2.  TuBDUs  Musicus,  Linn. 

The  Song-Thrush  is  abundant  on  its  migration  in  Feb- 
ruary and  March,  and  I  have  seen  eggs  taken  in  the  Basque 
Provinces ;  but  my  impression  is  that  only  a  few  remain  to 
breed. 

3.  TuRDUs  iLiAcus,  Liuu. 

The  Redwing  was  numerous  in  March  about  St.  Jean- 
de-Luz. 

4.  TuRDUs  PILARIS,  Liuu. 

The  Fieldfare  is  of  rare  or  irregular  occurrence  in  the 
western  districts,  where  I  only  saw  it  once ;  more  abundant 
on  passage  towards  the  centre.  Philippe  and  others  assert 
that  a  few  pairs  remain  to  breed  in  the  higher  woods. 

In  the  Museum  at  Bayonne  there  is  an  example  of  White's 
Thrush,  Oreocincla  varia,  shot  in  the  district  in  1871. 

5.  TuRDUS  MERULA,  LiuU. 

The  Blackbird  is  a  resident  species,  its  numbers  being  aug- 
mented during  migration. 

6.  TuRDUS  TORQUATUS,  LiuU. 

The  Ring-Ouzel  was  abundant  in  March  about  Argeles, 
where  it  is  known  as  the  '^  Pic  Mars.''  I  also  saw  it  and 
heard  it  near  Roncesvalles  in  April,  so  it  was  doubtless  breed- 
ing there. 

7.  MoNTicoLA  SAXATiLis  (Liun.). 

The  Rock-Thrush  is  tolerably  common  in  the  mountains 
from  April  to  September,  and  nests  close  to  Bagneres-de- 
Bigorre,  where  I  observed  it  early  in  May  1879. 

8.  MoNTicoLA  cYANus  (Linn.). 

The  Blue  Rock-Thrush  was  observed  .by  me  daily  in  the 
warm  dry  Catalonian  Pyrenees  in  November  1876,  so  that  it 
is  probably  resident  there.  In  the  colder  districts  it  arrives 
in  April,  and  in  the  Basque  Provmces  I  did  not  see  it 
at  all. 


370  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

9.  CiNCLUs  AQUATicus,  Beclist. 

The  Dipper  is  common  on  all  the  mountain-streams.  A 
skin  which  I  brought  hack  is  referahle  to  the  form  named 
C  albicollis. 

10.  Saxicola  (enanthe  (Linn.). 

The  Common  Wheatear  arrived  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  from 
the  south  on  the  25th  of  March. 

11.  Saxicola  albicollis,  Vieill. 

Several  separate  parties  of  the  Black-eared  Chat  arrived  at 
the  same  time  with  the  preceding. 

12.  Saxicola  leucura. 

The  Black  Chat  was  observed  hy  me  daily  ahove  Amelie- 
les-Bains,  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees,  in  November  1876;  but 
until  then  Lacroix  was  not  aware  of  its  existence  in  any  part 
of  the  range. 

13.  Pratincola  rubetra  (Linn.). 

The  Whinchat  was  seen  in  Navarre  in  April. 

14.  Pratincola  rubicola  (Linn.). 
The  Stonechat  is  common  and  resident. 

15.  RuTiciLLA  phcenicurus  (Linn.). 

The  first  male  Redstart  was  observed  at  St.  Jeau-de-Luz 
on  the  18th  of  March. 

16.  RUTICILLA  TITYS    (Scop.). 

The  Black  Redstart  was  tolerably  common  during  the 
winter  about  ruins,  and  even  on  the  rocks  by  the  sea-shore 
at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  ;  but  by  April  nearly  all  the  birds  seemed 
to  have  retired  to  the  mountains,  where  I  saw  many. 

17.  Cyanecula  wolfi,  C.  L.  Brehm. 

I  shot  a  White-spotted  Bluethroat  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
on  the  16th  of  April,  but  it  probably  arrives  rather  earlier. 

18.  Erithacus  rubecula  (Liim.). 

The  Redbreast  is  tolerably  common  and  resident. 

19.  Dahlias  luscixxia  (Linn.) . 

The  first  Nightingale  was  observed  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
on  the  8th  of  April. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  371 

20.  Sylvia  rufa  (Bodd.). 

The  Wliitethroat's  arrival  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  was  first 
noticed  on  the  4th  of  April.  The  Lesser  Whitethroat  {S. 
curruca)  was  not  observed  by  me,  and  in  the  Basque  Pro- 
vinces I  believe  it  is  very  rare  on  migration. 

21.  Sylvia  melanocephala  (Gm.). 

The  Sardinian  Warbler  seems  to  be  a  resident  in  the  lower 
districts  ;  I  saw  it  daily  near  Amelie-les-Bains  in  November. 

22.  Sylvia  atricapilla  (Linn.). 

The  Blackcap  was  observed  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  on  and  sub- 
sequently to  the  7th  of  March. 

23.  Melizophilus  undatus  (Bodd.). 

The  Dartford  Warbler  is  tolerably  common  and  resident  on 
the  gorse-covered  hills  of  the  Basque  Provinces ;  I  also  saw  it 
in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  in  November, 

24.  Regulus  cristatus,  Koch. 

25.  Regulus  ignicapillus  (C  L.  Brehm). 

Both  the  Goldcrest  and  the  Fire-crest  were  frequently 
observed  in  winter  and  early  spring  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz. 
The  former  species  was  exceedingly  tame,  seeking  food  on 
the  gorse  regardless  of  the  proximity  of  the  observer.  The 
Fire-crests  often  came  quite  close;  but  they  seemed  much 
more  restless,  and,  instead  of  working  steadily  round  the 
same  bush,  they  would  shoot  off  rapidly  to  another  after  a 
very  short  stay. 

26.  Phylloscopus  collybita  (VieilL). 

27.  Phylloscopus  trochilus  (Linn.). 

Some  Chift'chaffs  were  to  be  seen  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
throughout  the  winter;  others  arrived  in  March.  The 
Willow-Wren  was  first  noticed  on  the  Sth  of  that  month. 
My  departure  for  the  mountains  prevented  any  observations 
upon  other  Warblers. 

28.  Accentor  collaris  (Scop.), 

The  Alpine  Accentor  was  only  seen  by  me  on  the  Higher 
Pyrenees  in  March  and  May;  never  in  the  Basque  and 
Navarrese  districts. 


373  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

29.  Accentor  modularis  (Linn.). 

The  Hedge-Sparrow  appears  to  be  resident  on  the  lower 
grounds^  but  it  is  not  numerous. 

30.  ACREDULA  IRBYI. 

This  form  of  Long-tailed  Tit  was  several  times  observed  on 
the  tall  poplars  along  the  highroad  from  Bayonne  to  Spain, 
and  also  in  the  Argeles  valley. 

31.  Parus  major,  Linn. 

32.  Parus  ater,  Linn. 

33.  Parus  c^ruleus,  Linn. 

The  Great,  Blue,  and  Coal  Tits  were  frequently  observed, 
the  latter  being  especially  abundant  in  the  middle  belt  of 
forests  in  company  with  the  Crested  Tits. 

34.  Parus  palustris,  Linn. 

The  Marsh -Tit  appeared  to  be  rather  rare,  and  confined  to 
the  lower  grounds  by  the  Nivelle  and  neighbouring  streams. 

35.  Lophophanes  cristatus  (Linn.). 

A  few  Crested  Tits  were  always  to  be  seen  in  the  woods 
round  St.  Jean-de-Luz,  but  in  the  great  forest  of  Iraty  and 
the  woods  of  the  Higher  Pyrenees  this  species  was  more 
numerous  than  all  the  others  together. 

36.  SiTTA  C^SIA,  Wolf. 

The  Common  Nuthatch  is  abundant  and  resident  in  the 
chestnut  and  beech  woods,  where  its  loud  tui-tui-tui  might 
frequently  be  heard. 

37.  Certhia  familiabis,  Linn. 
The  Common  Creeper  is  resident. 

38.  Tichodroma  muraria  (Linn.). 

The  Wall-Creeper,  in  spite  of  the  brilliant  crimson  of  its 
wings,  is  a  species  which  may  easily  be  overlooked  on  the 
rocky  precipices  which  form  the  sides  of  the  deep  gorges. 
Mr.  Seebohm  told  me  that  he  had  observed  it  about  Pierre- 
fitte  in  March  1882  ;  but  I  was  not  so  fortunate  as  regards 
that  locality.  In  the  arid  ravines  of  the  Eastern  Pyrenees, 
where  the  sun  still  strikes  fiercely  in  November,  1  have  seen 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  373 

it  several  times  with  extended  wings  basking  like  a  butterfly ; 
but  it  leaves  the  higher  mountains  in  September,  returning 
in  March.  As  bearing  upon  its  two  recorded  visits  to  Eng- 
land (which,  however,  in  spite  of  their  authorities,  have  not 
obtained  sufficient  credence  to  procure  its  admission  to  the 
B.  O.  U.  List  of  British  birds),  I  may  remark  that  four  or  five 
examples  have  been  obtained  at  Nantes,  in  Lower  Brittany, 
several  of  them  on  the  walls  of  the  old  Chateau,  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  noise  and  bustle  of  crowded  quays  and  steam 
tramways. 

39.  Troglodytes  parvulus,  Koch. 

The  Common  Wren  is  a  familiar  resident. 

40.  MOTACILLA  ALBA,   LiuU. 

41.  MoTACiLLA  LUGUBRis,  Tcmm. 

Both  the  White  and  the  Pied  Wagtails  were  observed  at 
St.  Jean-de-Luz  from  December  to  the  end  of  March,  after 
which  they  disappeared.  Our  bird  was  in  full  black  plumage 
in  December,  and  was  frequently  to  be  seen  strutting  about 
the  road  in  proximity  to  its  longer-tailed  congener,  the 
White  Wagtail,  which  was  also  in  full  pkimage.  Judging 
from  the  gradations  of  colour  observed  in  fully  adult  speci- 
mens, it  is  my  impression  that  the  two  species  interbreed  ; 
but  the  birds  persistently  frequented  washing-places  and  high- 
roads, where  it  was  impossible  to  shoot,  so  that  I  did  not 
obtain  a  specimen.  Their  sudden  departure  took  me  by 
surprise,  for  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  secure  a  Pied  and 
a  White  Wagtail  which  had  apparently  been  paired  for  at 
least  a  fortnight.  There  was  a  considerable  arrival  of  Pied 
Wagtails  early  in  March. 

42.  MOTACILLA  MELANOPE,  Pall. 

The  Grey  Wagtail  is  of  general  distribution,  not  merely  on 
the  streams  and  brooks,  but  also  on  the  flat  land  at  the  foot 
of  the  mountains.  At  the  baths  of  Dax,  by  the  Adour,  in 
the  Landes,  a  pair  frequented  the  courtyard  of  the  hotels 
sometimes  entering  the  open  windows  of  the  corridors  in 
search  of  flies  with  the  utmost  familiarity. 


374  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

43.  MoTACiLLA  FLAVA,  Linn. 

44.  MOTACILLA  RAII,   Bp. 

From  the  28th  January  onwards  the  Blue-headed  Yellow 
Wagtail  was  tolerably  common  among  the  cattle  on  tlie  pas- 
tures about  St.  Jean-de-Luz.  The  Yellow  Wagtail  was  first 
observed  on  the  lOth  of  April  by  the  banks  of  the  Iraty  river, 
in  close  attendance  on  some  grazing  ponies. 

45.  Anthus  pratensis  (Linn.). 

46.  Anthus  trivialis  (Linn.). 

The  Meadow-Pipit  was  very  common  in  winter  and  spring. 
The  Tree-Pipit  was  obtained  on  and  after  the  12th  February. 

47.  Anthus  spipoletta  (Linn.). 

The  Water-Pipit  was  occasionally  observed  by  the  river- 
banks  in  February;  but  later  in  the  year  it  became  abundant 
on  the  hill-tops,  and  early  in  May  swarms  were  migrating 
up  the  Val-de-Lys,  near  Luchon,  on  the  way  to  their  moun- 
tain breeding-grounds.  I  believe  I  saw  the  Rock-Pipit  [A. 
obscurus)  on  the  rocks  by  St.  Jean-de-Luz. 

48.  Lanius  meridionalis,  Temm. 

There  is  a  genuine  specimen  of  the  Southern  Grey  Shrike, 
shot  on  the  lOth  of  February,  in  the  Bayonne  Museum,  but 
it  is,  of  course,  a  very  rare  straggler. 

Lanius  excubitor  had  not  arrived  before  my  departure ;  at 
least  I  did  not  see  it. 

49.  Lanius  pomeranus,  Sparrm. 

The  first  Woodchat-Shrike  was  observed  in  Navarre  on  the 
11th  of  April ;  later  it  is  exceedingly  common. 

50.  MusciCAPA  atricapilla,  Linn. 

The  Pied  Flycatcher  was  obtained  on  migration  in  the 
woods  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz  on  the  17th  of  April. 

51.  HiRUNDO  RUSTicA,  Linn. 

The  first  Swallow  was  seen  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  on  the  25th 
of  March. 

52.  Chelidon  URBicA  (Linn.). 

There  is  a  single  specimen  of  the  House-Martin  in  the 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  375 

Bayonne  Museum  ;  but  this  species  is  extremely  rare  in  the 
Western  Pyrenees,  although  the  overhanging  eaves  of  the 
Basque  and  Navarrese  houses  appear  very  suitable  for  its 
nests.  A  sharp  look-out  was  kept  for  the  latter,  but  no 
trace  of  them  was  noticed  as  far  east  as  the  Val  d^Aspe. 
The  House-Martin  breeds  abundantly  at  St.  Sauveur  and 
near  Luchon.  In  the  gorges  of  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  I 
observed  it  as  late  as  the  29th  October,  hawking  for  insects, 
at  the  same  time  and  place  as  the  next  species,  but  always 
lower  down,  close  to  the  mountain-torrents. 

53.  COTILE   RUPESTRIS  (Scop.). 

The  Crag-Martin  is  resident  throughout  the  year,  from 
the  Pas  de  Roland,  near  Cambo,  to  the  gorges  of  the  Eastern 
Pyrenees. 

54.  Carduelis  elegans,  Stej)h. 

The  Goldfinch  is  generally  distributed;  on  the  Spanish 
slope  from  Roncesvalles  to  Pamplona  it  was  more  abundant 
in  spring  than  any  other  species  of  bird. 

55.  Crysomitris  spinus  (Linn.). 

The  Siskin  was  tolerably  common  throughout  the  winter, 
especially  on  the  Spanish  side ;  and  by  the  2nd  of  April 
numbers  were  passing  northwards. 

56.  Serinus  hortulanus,  Koch. 

I  was  rather  surprised  to  hear  the  familiar  note  of  the 
Serin  Finch  on  the  trees  just  outside  Argeles  on  the  18th  of 
March  ;  but  the  position  of  that  place  is  a  very  sheltered  one. 
I  saw  the  birds  daily,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  binocular  there 
could  be  no  mistake  in  the  identification  of  the  species. 

57.  LiGURiNUs  cHLORis  (Liun.). 

The  Greenfinch  is  common  and  resident. 

58.  Passer  domesticus  (Linn.). 

59.  Passer  montanus  (Linn.). 

The  House-Sparrow  is  pretty  generally  distributed  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  towns  and  villages.     The  Tree-Sparrow 
although  more  local,  is  also  common,  and  during  the  winter 
and  early  spring  a   good  many   were  to  be  observed  in  the 


376  Mr.  H.  Saunders  07i  the 

trees  and  small  gardens  of  St.  Jcan-de-Luz.  I  have  seen 
them  obtaining  food  from  the  droppings  in  the  streets,  just 
like  the  House-Sparrow. 

60.  MoNTiFRiNGiLLA  NIVALIS  (Linn.). 

The  Snow-Finch  seldom  comes  down  into  the  valleys.  I 
saw  it  below  the  Somport  (5000  feet)  on  a  splendid  day  at 
the  end  of  February,  when  its  appearance  there  was  con- 
sidered to  betoken  a  spell  of  bad  weather,  and  two  days  later 
the  higher  villages  were  snowed-np. 

61.  Fringilla  celebs,  Linn, 

62.  Fringilla  montifringilla,  Linn. 
The  Chaffinch  is  common  and  resident. 

The  Brambling  occurs  in  winter  and  on  migration,  com- 
mencing its  passage  northwards  as  early  as  February ;  but 
Philippe  notes  that  a  few  are  found  in  summer,  so  that  it 
probably  breeds  sparingly  in  the  higher  forests. 

63.  Linota  cannabina  (Linn.). 

64.  Linota  rufescens  (VieilL). 

65.  Linota  flavirostris  (Linn.). 

The  Linnet  is  tolerably  common  in  winter,  and  partially 
resident.  I  have  seen  the  Lesser  Redpole  and  the  Twite, 
freshly  captured,  in  the  cages  of  the  Basque  bird-catchers  in 
March. 

QQ.  Pyrrhula  europ^a,  Vieill. 

The  Bullfinch  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Basque  Provinces 
and  in  Navarre.  I  saw  and  obtained  it  several  times  in  Feb- 
ruary and  March. 

67.  LoxiA  curvirostra,  Linn. 

I  observed  the  Crossbill  in  the  elevated  forests  of  Iraty  in 
April,  so  that  it  was,  no  doubt,  breeding. 

68.  Emberiza  miliaria,  Linn. 

The  Common  Bunting  was  observed  in  the  Lower  Pyrenees 
in  March. 

69.  Emberiza  citrinella,  Linn. 

70.  Emberiza  cirlus,  Linn. 

The  Yellow  Bunting  was  noticed  in  the  Basque  Provinces 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  377 

throughout  the  winter^  and  was  abundant  in  the  Val  d^Aspe 
in  March,  also  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  in  November.  The 
Cirl  Bunting  was  common  about  St.  Jean-de-Luz  from  De- 
cember to  April,  and  during  a  snow-storm  on  the  10th  of 
March  there  were  numbers  in  a  small  garden  in  front  of  the 
Hotel  de  la  Poste  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz,  and  even  on  the  paved 
street  with  the  Sparrows. 

71.  Emberiza  hortulana,  Linn. 

The  Ortolan  Bunting  was  identified  at  Argel^s  on  the  23rd 
of  March,  when,  after  unusually  warm  weather,  a  sudden 
change  tool;  place,  followed  by  snow ;  and  very  surprised  and 
miserable  the  poor  migrants  seemed  to  be. 

72.  Emberiza  cia,  Linn. 

The  Meadow-Bunting  is  resident  in  the  Lower  Pyrenees, 
and  appears  to  be  the  most  abundant  of  the  genus. 

73.  Emberiza  schosniclus,  Linn. 

The  Reed-Bunting  appeared  in  small  flocks  about  St.  Jean- 
de-Luz  on  the  7th  of  February,  some  of  the  males  being  in 
the  fullest  breeding-plumage  at  that  date. 

74.  Alauda  arvensis,  Linn. 

75.  Alauda  arborea,  Linn. 

The  Sky-Lark  was  observed  in  the  Basque  Provinces 
throughout  the  winter,  and  immense  flights  were  observed 
passing  northwards  in  March.  The  Wood-Lark  was  much 
rarer  during  the  same  month. 

76.  Alauda  cristata,  Linn. 

A  few  Crested  Larks  were  seen  strutting  about  the  roads 
and  paths  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz  from  the  6th  of  February 
onwards,  but  this  species  did  not  appear  to  be  numerous 
up  to  the  time  of  my  departure  in  April.  In  the  Eastern 
Pyrenees  it  was  common  in  November. 

77.  Melanocorypha  calandra  (Linn.). 

The  Calandra  Lark  began  to  make  its  appearance  at 
St.  Jean-de-Luz  in  small  numbers  by  the  end  of  March;  in 
Navarre  it  was  seen  earlier  and  was  more  abundant. 


378  Mr.  H.  Saunders  om  the 

78.  Sturnus  vulgaris_,  Linn. 

The  Starling  was  a  common  species. 

79.  Pyrrhocorax  GRACULus  (Linn.). 

80.  Pyrrhocorax  alpinus,  Kocli. 

The  Red- billed  Chough  was  abundant  on  La  Rhune  to- 
wards Sare  and  in  some  parts  of  Navarre.  In  many  parts  of 
the  Higher  Pyrenees  this  species  is  very  numerous ;  there  are 
colonies  just  above  Pierrefitte,  and  close  to  St.  Sauveur. 
The  Alpine  Chough  I  never  saw  in  the  Basque  Provinces,  but 
in  the  Val  d^Aspe  and  eastward  it  is  very  common.  As  a 
rule  it  inhabits  higher  ground  than  the  Red-billed  Chough, 
but  by  no  means  invariably,  for  both  species  frequent  the 
wild  gorges  of  Corsavi,  under  Canigou,  in  the  Eastern 
Pyrenees. 

The  Nutcracker  is  undoubtedly  found  in  the  Pyrenees, 
but  I  have  no  personal  acquaintance  with  it. 

81.  Garrulus  glandarius  (Linn.). 

The  Jay  is  very  common  and  resident  in  the  wooded 
districts. 

82.  Pica  rustica  (Scop.). 

The  Magpie  swarms  on  the  French  side  of  the  mountains, 
but  on  the  Spanish  side,  even  where  the  country  appears 
equally  suited  to  its  habits,  it  is,  I  am  happy  to  say,  of  rare 
occurrence.  In  some  places  along  the  Adour  the  nests  are 
so  close  together  that  an  uncritical  traveller  by  rail  or  road 
might  easily  be  deceived  into  the  belief  that  he  was  looking 
at  a  somewhat  straggling  rookery. 

In  the  Bayonne  Museum  there  is  a  specimen  of  the  Spanish 
Blue-winged  Magpie  (Cycmopica  cooki),  said  to  have  been 
shot  within  the  French  Ijoundary  ;  but  M.  Hiriart,  the  curator, 
shakes  his  head  over  it ;  and  certainly  the  average  range  of 
this  bird  does  not  extend  north  of  the  Ebro  valley. 

The  Jackdaw  was  not  observed  by  me  anywhere;  I  heard 
what  I  took  to  be  its  note  more  than  once,  but  the  birds  were 
flying  high,  and  were  possibly  Choughs. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  379 

83.  CoRvus  coRONE,  Liim. 

84.  CoRvus  coRNix,  Linn. 

The  Carrion- Crow  Avas  abundant  in  the  Lower  Pyrenees, 
and  in  the  Val  d'Aspc  I  saw  it  in  considerable  flocks.  The 
Hooded  Crow  was  tolerably  common  about  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
in  winter;  one  individual  was  nearly  black,  with  a  dark-grey 
collar ;  another,  on  the  same  tree,  was  a  very  light  example. 
I  also  saw  the  species  in  Navarre. 

85.  CoRVUS  FRUGiLEGUs,  Linn. 

The  Rook  w^as  plentiful  in  winter  on  the  French  side.  In 
Navarre,  where  comparatively  little  rain  had  fallen  for  fifteen 
months,  the  soil  was  too  hard  for  it  in  the  spring  of  1882. 

86.  CoRVus  coRAx,  Linn. 

The  Raven  is  generally  distributed,  and  its  hoarse  guttural 
bark  was  a  familiar  sound  on  my  excursions.  One  morning 
a  man  was  engaged  just  outside  St.  Jean-de-Luz  in  burying 
a  horse  which  had  died  in  the  night,  and  a  pair  of  Ravens 
were  circling  round,  expressing  their  sentiments  in  the 
plainest  manner  upon  such  a  waste  of  good  food. 

87.  Dendrocopus  major,  Linn. 

The  Great  Spotted  Woodpecker  was  twice  observed  in  the 
Basque  Provinces. 

The  Black  Woodpecker  {Picus  mar  tins)  undoubtedly  in- 
habits the  Pyrenees  and  the  Cantabrian  range,  but  I  had 
not  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  it. 

88.  Gecinus  viRiDis  (Linn.), 

The  Green  Woodpecker  is  common ;  nowhere  more  so  than 
at  Pan. 

89.  Iynx  torqujlla,  Linn. 

The  Wryneck  was  very  noisy  on  the  26th  of  March  in  the 
chestnut-woods  outside  Argeles. 

90.  Alcedo  ispida,  Linn. 

The  Kingfisher  was  frequently  seen  along  the  rivers  and 
mountain-streams. 


380  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

91.  Upupa  epops,  Linn. 

The  first  Hoopoe  of  the  year  v^as  observed  walking  along 
the  road  near  the  Bidassoa  on  the  23rd  of  Marchj  and  several 
were  seen  later. 

92.  CucuLUs  CANORUS,  Linn. 

The  Cuckoo  was  first  heard  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  on  the  15th 
of  April,  and  later  it  was  both  seen  and  heard. 

93.  ASTO  ACCIPITRINUS  (Pall.). 

I  saw  a  freshly  killed  specimen  of  the  Short-eared  Owl  at 
Bagneres-de-Bigorre  on  the  27th  of  March,  1882.  The 
Long-eared  Owl  {Asio  otus)  also  occurs,  but  I  did  not  happen 
to  see  it ;  Companyo  says  it  is  excellent  eating. 

94.  Syrnium  aluco  (Linn.). 

I  heard  the  Tawny  Owl  hooting  loudly  near  Roncesvalles 
in  Navarre. 

95.  Scops  giu  (Scop.). 

The  Scops  Owl  was  not  noticed  in  the  Western  Pyrenees 
during  my  spring  visits ;  but  at  the  foot  of  the  Eastern 
Pyrenees,  where  the  olive  tree  is  abundant^  it  appears  to  be 
resident — at  least  it  was  there  iu  November  1876.  Lacroix 
says  that  it  lays  its  eggs  in  old  nests  of  the  Magpie. 

96.  Bubo  ignavus,  Forst. 

The  Eagle  Owl  is  of  general  distribution.  I  was  shown 
the  place  where  a  pair  bred  every  year  in  a  narrow  gorge 
just  above  the  Hotel  Poujade  at  Amelie-les-Bains.  This 
bird  begins  to  nest  very  early,  and  Companyo  says  that  he 
has  found  the  young  nearly  full-fledged  in  March ;  he  adds 
that  the  flesh  of  this  bird  is  white,  tender,  and  well  flavoured. 
It  is  always  diflicuit  to  induce  peasants  to  show  you  the  nest, 
as  it  is  generally  on  an  easily  accessible  ledge'which  they  visit 
daily  for  the  sake  of  the  rabbits,  hares,  and  partridges  brought 
there  by  the  old  birds.  I  once  lunched  oft'  a  rabbit  which  I 
took  from  the  Eagle-Owl's  table. 

97.  Athene  noctua  (Retz.). 

The  Little  Owl  is  tolerably  common  and  resident ;  I  heard 
its  note  several  times  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz  iu  March. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  381 

Tengmalm^s  Owl  {Nyctala  tengmalmi)  undoubtedly  occurs 
in  the  upper  fir-woods  ;  and  there  is  a  specimen  of  the  Pygmy- 
Owl  {Glaucidium passerinum)  in  the  Museum  at  Perpignan, 
said  to  have  been  obtained  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees. 

98.  Strix  flammea,  Linn. 

The  Barn-Owl  is  of  general  distribution. 

99.  Gyps  fulvus  (Gmel.). 

The  Griffon  Vulture  is  common  in  the  Western  Pyrenees, 
especially  on  the  Spanish  side.  I  believe  that  about  half  a 
dozen  pairs  nest  just  within  the  French  frontier,  in  the  cliffs 
of  La  Rhune  on  the  side  looking  to  Spain ;  and  there  is  a 
larger  colony  in  the  Hucel-haya  or  Trois  Couronnes,  a  very 
conspicuous  mountain  on  the  Spanish  side  of  the  Bidassoa. 
With  the  above  exception  I  am  not  aware  of  any  breeding-place 
on  the  French  side  in  the  Western  or  Central  Pyrenees ;  in  fact 
the  rocks  do  not  appear  suitable — with  the  exception,  perhaps, 
of  those  above  Les  Aldudes  near  the  Val  de  Bastan,  where  the 
frontier-ridge  runs  north  and  south  instead  of  east  and  west. 
I  saw  over  seventy  Griffons  at  once  over  that  village  ;  and  near 
Mendive  I  watched  these  birds  with  a  binocular  on  some 
mountain-pastures  from  which  we  were  separated  by  a  deep 
gorge.  On  alighting,  the  Griffons  might  be  seen  stalking 
leisurely  among  the  sheep,  or  perched  upon  a  rock,  taking  a 
great  interest,  for  obvious  reasons,  in  the  ewes  which  were 
lambing.  On  the  Spanish  side  its  breeding-places  are  nume- 
rous. Lacroix  says  that  the  eggs  are  laid  towards  the  end  of 
February ;  but  we  found  none  by  the  8th  of  March,  even  in 
the  mild  climate  of  the  Western  Pyrenees.  Philippe,  who 
seems  to  have  experimented  on  every  thing,  says  "■  on  le 
mange  a  I'etouffe,  apres  Tavoir  fait  mariner  cinq  a  six  jours, 
pour  lui  faire  perdre  son  odeur  musquee.''^ 

100.  VuLTUR  MONACHUs,  Linn. 

The  Cinereous  Vulture  is  certainly  of  rare  occurrence  in 
the  Western  Pyrenees,  but  in  the  Central  and  Eastern  dis- 
tricts it  sometimes  comes  over  from  the  Spanish  side,  where 
it  is  abundant.  Philippe  says  that  it  nests  in  the  rocks  of 
the  Clot  de  Mountarioux,  and  Lacroix  asserts  that  it  does  so 

SER.  v. VOL.   II.  2  F 


382  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

towards  the  end  of  January— ^statements  wholly  at  variance 
with  what  we  know  of  its  habits  in  Spain^  where  it  makes  its 
nests  in  tall  trees  and  does  not  lay  until  March  or  April. 

101.  Neophron  percnopterus  (Linn.). 

The  Egyptian  Vulture  was  observed  on  the  Trois  Couronnes 
on  the  8th  of  March,  in  pairs,  and  the  species  is  generally 
distributed  throughout  the  Pyrenees  from  spring  to  autumn. 
As  I  did  not  see  it  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  by  the  end  of 
October,  it  had  probably  left  by  that  time. 

It  may  prevent  error  if  I  state  here  that,  in  Provence,  one 
of  the  local  names  for  this  Vulture  is  "  Pelacan,''  which  has 
(not  unnaturally)  been  rendered  into  English  as  "  Pelican  " 
in  Murray^s  '  Guide  to  France.^ 

10.2.  Gypaetus  barbatus  (Linn.). 

The  Bearded  Vulture  was  observed  by  me  on  every  excur- 
sion which  I  made  in  the  mountains,  from  La  Rhune  to 
Navarre,  and  a  pair  of  the  birds  is  to  be  found  in  nearly 
every  stack  of  rocks  suitable  for  their  nests.  In  the  two 
stupendous  pillars  of  limestone  known  as  "  Las  Dos  Her- 
manas  "  at  Yrurzun  they  have  bred  from  time  immemorial, 
and,  excepting  by  Loche,  of  Algerian  renown,  they  have  never 
been  disturbed  there.  Going  over  the  Pass  of  Lecumberri  in 
Navarre,  I  watched  a  pair  indulging  in  amorous  play  in  the 
air  on  the  24th  of  February,  and  I  am  somewhat  sceptical  as 
to  the  statements  of  several  French  winters  as  to  its  breeding 
in  January  in  the  Pyrenees.  That  it  does  so  in  the  south 
of  Spain  I  am  well  aware,  eggs  taken  at  Loja  on  the  2nd 
of  February  having  proved  to  be  incubated.  In  the  Eastern 
Pyrenees  the  Bearded  Vulture  has  become  very  rare  of  late 
years. 

103.  Circus  ^ruginosus  (Linn.). 

The  Marsh-Harrier  was  observed  on  all  the  open  valleys 
of  the  lower  districts  of  the  Pyrenees. 

104.  Circus  cyaneus  (Linn.). 

The  Hen- Harrier  was  frequently  seen  quartering  the 
ground  by  the  rivers  and  on  the  sides  of  the  mountains  up  to 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  383 

3000  feet,  from  the  8th  of  March  onwards.  Montagu's 
Harrier  (C.  cineraceus)  is  in  every  Museum,  but  I  did  not 
meet  with  it  alive. 

105.  BuTEo  VULGARIS,  Leach. 

The  Common  Buzzard  appears  to  be  resident  everywhere 
up  to  an  elevation  of  about  4000  feet. 

At  St.  Jean-de-Luz  I  saw  a  bird  come  across  from  Spain, 
alighting  as  if  wearied,  which  I  believe  to  have  been  a 
Rough-legged  Buzzard  [Buteo  lagopus) ;  but  although  I 
followed  it  up  for  some  time,  it  would  not  allow  me  to  get 
within  shot. 

106.  Aquila  pennata  (Gmel.). 

I  saw  the  Booted  Eagle  and  heard  its  familiar  scream 
several  times  in  the  woods  on  the  Spanish  side  near  Ronces- 
valles  in  February,  and  again  in  April ;  and  it  nests  in  the 
forests  on  both  sides  of  the  Pyrenees.  Its  breeding-range  is 
now  well  known  to  extend  as  far  north  as  Brittany  ;  but  it 
will  be  a  surprise  to  many,  as  it  was  to  me,  to  learn  that 
young  birds  taken  from  the  nest  in  Normandy  are  in  the 
Museum  at  Elbceuf. 

107.  Aquila  clanga.  Pall. 

The  Spotted  Eagle  is  tolerably  common  throughout  the 
wooded  mountains  j  in  Navarre  I  had  several  opportunities 
of  observing  it,  but  as  I  did  not  carry  a  gun  in  Spain,  I 
could  not  obtain  specimens. 

108.  Aquila  adalberti,  L.  Brehm. 

The  young  of  the  Spanish  Imperial  Eagle  occasionally 
crosses  the  Pyrenees  into  France.  I  have  examined  one  of 
these,  shot  by  Philippe  himself  near  Bagneres-de-Bigorre, 
now  in  the  collection  of  the  Rev.  W.  Lawson,  of  Lynton ; 
and  there  is  another  in  the  Museum  at  Nimes  obtained  by 
Crespon. 

109.  Aquila  chrysaetus  (Linn.). 

The  Golden  Eagle  is  very  rare  on  the  French  side  (there 
is,  in  fact,  next  to  no  game  for  it  to  subsist  upon) ;  and  in  the 
Eastern  Pyrenees,  where  the  inhabitants  are  far  more  enter- 

2f  2 


384  Mr.  H.  Saunders  un  the 

prising  than  elsewhere,,  this  bird  is  destroyed  as  much  as 
possible  for  the  sake  of  the  reward — the  bird  being  disem- 
bowelled, rudely  stuffed,  and  hawked  about  from  farm  to 
farm.  I  saw  this  being  done  near  Vernet.  On  the  Spanish 
side^  where  there  is  plenty  of  ground-game,  it  is  not  un- 
common. 

110.  Haliaetus  albicilla  (Linn.). 

Immature  Sea-Eagles  were  several  times  observed  over  the 
bay  of  St.  Jean-de-Luz.  At  San  Sebastian  one  was  circling 
round  the  citadel  on  Monte  OrguUo,  evidently  fearless  of 
molestation,  and  on  the  look  out  for  scraps  and  offal  from 
the  garrison. 

111.  CiRCAETUs  gallicus  (Gmcl.). 

The  Short-toed  Eagle  was  recognized  on  several  occasions 
in  the  lower  woods  on  both  sides  of  the  frontier. 

112.  NiSAETUS   FASCIATUS    (Vicill.). 

The  long-legged  Eonelli's  Eagle  was  only  identified  on  two 
occasions  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz.  In  the  Eastern  Pyi'eneeSj 
at  the  foot  of  which  there  is  a  long  line  of  etangs  frequented 
by  water-fow^l,  it  is  not  uncommon  ;  and  I  saw  three  clutches 
of  eggs  still  unblown,  taken  not  far  across  the  frontier,  in 
Catalonia. 

113.  AcciPiTER  Nisus  (Linn.). 

The  Sparrow-Hawk  is  common  and  resident. 

114.  MiLvus  iCTiNus,  Savigny. 

The  Red  Kite  is  the  most  conspicuous  bird  of  prey  about 
St.  Jean-de-Luz,  and  is  of  general  distribution. 

115.  MiLvus  MIGRANS  (Bodd.) . 

The  Black  Kite  was  noticed  on  the  15th  of  March,  after 
which  it  might  be  seen  at  any  time  circling  over  the  streets 
of  Bayonne,  and  swooping  down  upon  the  floating  garbage  on 
the  Nive  and  the  Adour.     It  remains  till  October. 

116.  Pernis  apivorus  (Linn.). 

The  Honey-Buzzard  is  abundant  on  migration,  the  spring 
passage  being  between  the  10th  and  15th  of  May ;  I  have 
recently  seen  eggs  taken  in  the  forests  on  the  French  side. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  385 

117.  Falco  cANDicANs^  Gmcl. 

Two  examples  of  the  Greenland  Falcon  have  been  obtained 
near  St.  Jean-de-Luz;  and  Philippe  records  the  occurrence  of 
two  birds  on  the  22nd  of  September,  1832,  and  one  on  the 
25th  of  October,  1836,  which  were  either  this  species  or  the 
Iceland  Falcon. 

118.  Falco  peregrinus,  Tunstall. 

The  Peregrine  Falcon  was  seen  on  several  occasions.  On 
the  10th  of  March,  1882,  one  was  very  noisy  at  its  nesting- 
place  on  La  Rhune,  bu.t  no  eggs  had  then  been  laid. 

119.  Falco  /esalon,  Tunstall. 

The  Merlin  was  observed  on  several  occasions  during  the 
winter  and  spring. 

120.  Falco  tinnunculus,  Linn. 

The  Kestrel  is  common  and  generally  distributed. 

Philippe  says  that  the  Lesser  Kestrel  [F.  cenchj'is)  nests 
annually  in  the  ruins  of  the  Chateau  of  Mauvezin,  near 
FEscaladieu ;  but  it  would  be  interesting  to  have  this  con- 
firmed by  any  ornithologist  who  happens  to  be  at  Bagneres- 
de-Bigorre  in  the  latter  part  of  May. 

121.  Pandion  haliaetus  (Linn.). 

I  observed  the  Osprey  fishing  in  the  Bay  of  St.  Jean-de- 
Luz  on  two  occasions. 

122.  Phalacrocorax  carbo  (Linn.). 

This  species  is  common  along  the  coast,  at  least  as  far  as 
Biarritz,  where  there  is  said  to  be  only  one  historical  example, 
known  to  visitors  as  the  Cormorant. 

123.  Sula  bassana  (Linn.). 

The  Gannet  was  frequently  observed  over  the  Bay  in 
winter. 

124.  CicoNiA  ALBA,  Bcchst. 

Two  Storks  were  observed  passing  over  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
northwards  on  the  6th  of  March.  I  have  seen  this  species 
near  the  city  of  Leon  in  Spain,  nearly  a  week  earlier,  although 
the  weather  was  very  cold  at  that  time,  and  the  passes  into 
the  Asturias  were  completely  blocked  by  snow. 


386  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

125.  Anas  boscas,  Linn. 

126.  QuERQUEDULA  CRECCA  (Linu.), 

127.  Mareca  PENELOPE  (Linn.). 

128.  Spatula  clypeata  (Linn.). 

The  Wild  Duck,  Teal,  Wigeon,  and  Shoveller  were  the 
only  species  of  Duck  identified ;  but  I  saw  some  birds,  which 
from  their  light  appearance  were  probably  Garganey  Teal, 
on  the  Lac  de  Lourdes. 

129.  Mergus  serrator,  Linn. 

The  Red-breasted  Merganser  was  seen  and  shot  in  the  Bay 
of  St.  Jean-de-Lnz  in  the  winter. 

Many  other  species  of  water-fowl  frequented  the  mouth  of 
the  Bidassoa,  but  their  wildness,  owing  to  constant  perse- 
cution, rendered  their  pursuit  unprofitable. 

130.  Columba  palumbus,  Linn. 

The  Ring-Dove  began  to  appear  on  migration  on  the  1st  of 
February,  1883,  in  small  numbers,  and  on  the  12th  there  was 
a  large  passage,  followed  by  many  others.  In  August  and 
September  large  numbers  are  taken  in  nets  stretched  across 
well-known  passes  in  the  mountains,  the  nearest  to  St.  Jean- 
de-Luz  being  between  Sare  and  Echalar.  These  places  are 
called  ''  pantieres  ^'  or  '^  palombieres,'^  and  there  are  nearly  a 
dozen  of  them  between  Sare  and  Luchon.  On  the  spring 
migration  the  nets  are  not  worked. 

131.  Columba  (enas,  Linn. 

The  Stock-Dove  occurred  on  passage  from  the  14th  of 
March  cawurds,  but  in  small  numbers. 

132.  Syrrhaptes  paradoxus  (Pall.). 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  discovering  three  examples  of 
Pallas's  Sand-Grouse  in  the  Pyrenees.  The  earliest,  dis- 
guised under  the  name  of  Pterocles  arenarius,  is  in  the 
Museum  of  Perpignau,  and  was  obtained  on  the  18th  of 
October,  1859 ;  the  second,  killed  by  Philippe  near  the 
Spanish  frontier  above  Bigorre  on  the  27th  of  May,  1863, 
is  in  the  College  at  Oloron ;  the  third  is  in  the  Museum  at 
Bavonne,  and  was  obtained  on  the  23rd  of  June,  1863. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  387 

133.  Caccabis  rufa  (Liun. ). 

The  Red-legged  Partridge  is  now  very  rare  on  the  French 
side  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz,  and  in  the  Eastern  Pyrenees  I 
have  seen  but  few. 

134.  Perdix  cinerea.  Lath. 

Our  Grey  Partridge  is  a  very  local  species,  frequenting 
the  cultivated  upland  patches,  and  rarely  moving  far  from  the 
spot.  When  brought  in  for  sale,  three  of  them  may  generally 
be  obtained  for  the  price  of  a  brace  of  Red-legs. 

The  Quail  {CoturnLv  communis)  is  abundant  on  passage; 
but  I  was  not  there  during  the  time. 

135.  Lagopus  mutus,  Leach. 

The  Ptarmigan  is  by  no  means  uncommon  near  the  snow- 
line. The  most  western  locality,  so  far  as  I  know,  is  about 
the  Pic  d'Anie  or  Pic  des  Escaliers,  in  the  higher  part  of  the 
Department  of  the  Basses-Pyrenees. 

136.  Bonasa  betulina  (Scop.). 

A  Hazel-Grouse  got  up  close  to  me  in  the  woods  of 
Roncesvalles.  This  species  is  now  becoming  scarce  on  the 
French  side;  and  I  was  unable  to  obtain  any  trustworthy 
information  about  it  in  Navarre  or  in  Catalonia.  Companyo 
asserts  that  it  is  plentiful  as  far  south  as  the  province  of 
Valladolid  in  Spain. 

137.  Tetrao  urogallus,  Linn. 

The  Capercaillie  occurs  in  the  forests  of  the  entire  range, 
but  on  the  French  side  its  numbers  are  rapidly  decreasing ;  I 
have  only  seen  it  near  Luclion. 

The  Black  Grouse  {Tetrao  tetrix)  is  said  by  Companyo  to 
be  tolerably  abundant  in  the  moderately  elevated  portions  of 
the  Eastern  Pyrenees,  where  it  is  known  to  the  Catalans  by 
the  name  of  ''  Cua  furxude  "  or  forked-tail.  This  species  is 
certainly  unknown  in  the  western  part  of  the  Pyrenees  as  far 
as  Luchou  ;  but  considering  the  break  of  continuity  in  that 
range  to  the  east  of  the  Port  de  Venasque,  and  the  connexion 
of  the  eastern  portion  with  the  Cevennes,  it  appears  not  im- 
probable that  Companyo's  statement  is  correct,  in  spite  of  the 
fact  that  Lacroix  says  nothing  about  this  Grouse. 


388  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

138.  Rallus  AQUATicus,  Linn. 

139.  PORZANA  MARUETTA    (Lcach). 

Both  the  Water- Rail  and  Spotted  Crake  were  common  and 
resident  in  suitable  localities  near  St.  Jean-de-Luz,  where  I 
shot  several. 

140.  Crex  pratensis,  Bechst. 

The  Land-Rail  was  obtained  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  as  early  as 
the  beginning  of  March. 

141.  Gallinula  chloropus  (Linn.). 

The  Moorhen  is  tolerably  common  and  resident  in  the  low 
grounds. 

The  Coot  [Fulica  atra)  is  abundant  on  the  etangs  at  the 
foot  of  the  Eastern  Pyrenees;  but  that  district  does  not 
come  within  the  limits  of  the  present  paper. 

142.  Grus  communis,  Bechst. 

The  Cranes  passed  northwards  towards  the  end  of  February ; 
on  the  10th  of  March,  1882,  Mr.  Seebohm  and  I  witnessed 
the  passage  of  a  Merlin,  a  Peregrine,  eight  Kites,  and  a 
Crane  crossing  the  shoulder  of  La  Rhune  simultaneously ; 
the  latter  was  going  full  speed  in  a  north-easterly  direction. 

143.  Otis  tarda,  Linn. 

144.  Otis  tetrax,  Linn. 

The  Great  Bustard  is  not  uncommon  on  passage  in  the 
Lower  Pyrenees,  and  I  believe  it  still  breeds  in  the  Landes 
to  the  north  of  Bayonne;  there  are  six  specimens  in  the 
Museum.  The  Little  Bustard  is  a  regular  migrant  on  its 
way  to  and  from  La  Vendee,  where  it  breeds  in  considerable 
numbers. 

145.  (Edicnemus  scolopax  (Gmel.). 

The  Stone-Curlew,  known  in  the  Lower  Pyrenees  by  the 
misleading  name  of  Poule  de  Carthage,  was  fairly  common 
about  St.  Jean-de-Luz  in  winter. 

146.  Charadrius  pluvialis,  Linn. 

A  few  Golden  Plover  came  into  the  market  at  St.  Jean- 
de-Luz  in  the  winter,  and  a  tolerable  number  passed  over, 
but  they  were  very  wild. 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  389 

147.  -iEaiALITIS  HIATICULA   (Lillll.). 

148.  ^GIALITIS  CANTIANA  (Lath.). 

Numbers  of  Ringed  Plover  were  observed  on  the  mud-flats 
of  the  Nivelle  and  on  the  sea-shore  in  March ;  and  on  the 
26th  of  that  month  I  identified  a  single  Kentish  Plover 
feeding,  with  four  of  the  preceding  species  and  three 
Dunlins,  and  very  unsuspicious. 

149.  Vanellus  VULGARIS,  Bechst. 

The  Lapwing  was  common  in  December  near  St.  Jean-de- 
Luz,  but  afterwards  disappeared,  returning  about  the  20th  of 
February. 

150.  HiEMATOPUs  osTRALEGUs,  Linn. 

An  Oyster-catcher  was  shot  out  of  a  flight  on  the  10th  of 
December,  and  on  the  sand-banks  at  the  mouth  of  the  Bidassoa 
it  was  not  uncommon. 

151.  Phalaropus  fulicarius,  Linn. 

On  the  23rd  of  December,  a  very  wet  and  squally  day,  I 
watched  five  Grey  Phalaropes  flitting  up  and  down  the  last 
line  of  breakers,  and  occasionally  resting  on  the  water  close 
to  tlie  shore  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz.  They  were  very  tame,  until 
driven  away  with  stones  by  some  boys. 

152.  ScoLOPAX  RUSTicuLA,  Liuu. 

The  Woodcock  is  fairly  abundant  about  St.  Jean-de-Luz  in 
winter  and  on  passage.  During  the  severe  weather  between 
the  6th  and  13th  of  March,  1883,  many  were  brought 
into  the  market  of  St.  Jean-de-Luz,  and  the  price  fell  to  5 
francs  the  couple.     I  saw  one  as  late  as  the  30th  of  March. 

153.  GrALLINAGO  MAJOR   (Gmcl.). 

154.  Gallinago  cffiLESTis  (Frenzel). 

155.  Galltnago  gallinula  (Linn.). 

I  have  seen  one  freshly  killed  Double  Snipe  shot  by  the 
Nivelle.  In  winter  both  the  Common  and  Jack  Snipe  were 
obtained,  but  they  were  not  abundant. 

156.  Tringa  alpina,  Linn. 

Three  Dunlins,  two  of  them  in  breeding-plumage,  were 
seen  on  the  Bay  of  St.  Jean-de-Luz  on  the  26th  of  March. 


390  Mr.  H.  Saunders  on  the 

157.  Machetes  puqnax  (Liuu.). 

A  RufF  was  hanging  up  iu  the  market  at  Pau  ou  the  I6th 
of  March. 

158.  ToTANUs  HYPOLEUcus  (Linn.). 

The  Common  Sandpiper  was  observed  on  several  occasions 
on  the  mountain-streams.  Both  the  Wood-  and  the  Green 
Sandpiper  occur  on  passage,  but  Lacroix's  statement  that  the 
latter  breeds  in  the  Pyrenees  is  probably  incorrect ;  I  have 
seen  the  eggs  which  he  ascribes  to  this  species,  and  they  are 
those  of  the  Common  Sandpiper. 

159.  ToTANus  CALiDiiis  (Limi.). 

160.  ToTANus  ruscus  (Linn.). 

The  Common  Redshank  was  obtained  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz 
on  the  14th  of  March;  and  on  the  16th  of  April  a  Spotted 
Redshank  in  its  black  breeding-plumage  was  seen,  but  unfor- 
tunately was  not  shot. 

161.  LiMosA  ^GOCEPHALA  (Linn.). 

A  good  many  Black-tailed  Godwits  were  obtained  on 
passage  on  the  3rd  of  March. 

162.  NuMENius  ARQUATA  (Linn.). 

The  Curlew  is  tolerably  common  in  the  lower  districts  in 
winter,  and  has  been  known  to  breed  near  Capvern,  where, 
according  to  Philippe,  a  female  was  taken  with  two  eggs 
(which  he  describes  accurately),  on  the  10th  of  May,  1838. 

163.  Larus  ridibundus,  Linn. 

164.  Larus  melanocephalus,  Natt. 

Our  Brown-headed  Gull  was  common  on  the  Nivelle  and 
in  the  Bay  of  St.  Jean-de-Luz  during  the  winter  and  up  to 
the  beginning  of  March  1882.  Then,  first  a  few  and  after- 
wards about  a  score  of  the  Adriatic  Black-headed  Gulls  made 
their  appearance  on  the  bay,  and  by  the  6th  of  ]March  they 
had  completely  replaced  the  former  species.  They  frequented 
the  mouth  of  the  harbour,  close  by  the  custom-house,  where 
it  was  impossible  to  shoot  them,  although  I  wanted  a  speci- 
men badly  for  the  purpose  of  convincing  a  sceptic ;  but 
nothing  could  be  easier  than  their  identification,  the  pure 


Birds  of  the  Pyrenees.  391 

white  primaries  of  the  adults  being  very  apparent  as  they 
soared  over  one's  head.  Some  of  the  mature  birds  had 
nearly  full  black  heads  by  the  7th  of  March,  when  I  left  for 
that  year.  During  the  winter  of  1882-83  I  saw  none  ;  but 
I  believe  this  species  breeds  on  some  of  the  lakes,  of  which 
there  is  a  chain  lying  parallel  to  the  sea,  between  Bayonne 
and  the  mouth  of  the  Gironde,  and  it  is  known  to  be  a  visitor 
to  Bordeaux. 

165.  Larus  minutus,  Pall. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  1882,  I  watched  a  flock  of  Little 
Gulls,  numbering  from  forty-eight  to  fifty,  in  the  Bay  of 
St.  Jean-de-Luz ;  about  thirty-six  of  them  had  already  full 
black  heads. 

166.  Larus  cachinnans.  Pall. 

The  Yellow-legged  Herring-Gull  was  the  only  member  of 
the  grey-mantled  group  identified  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz.  An 
adult  male  which  I  shot  on  the  12th  of  January  had  bright 
lemon-coloured  legs  and  feet ;  there  were  no  grey  mottlings 
about  the  head  and  neck,  but  only  a  few  dark  hair-streaks  in 
front  of  the  eye. 

167.  Larus  marinus,  Linn. 

168.  Larus  fuscus. 

The  Great  Black-backed  Gull  was  frequently  observed  on 
the  coast.  On  the  1st  of  March  I  watched  a  long  flight  of  at 
least  200  going  steadily  out  to  sea,  S.W.  direction.  The 
Lesser  Black-backed  Gull  was  also  identified. 

The  Glaucous  Gull  {Larus  glaucus)  has  been  shot  near 
Hendaye. 

169.  Rissa  tridactyla  (Linn.). 

The  Kittiwake  occasionally  came  into  the  bay  in  severe 
weather. 

170.  Stercorarius  catarrhactes  (Linn.). 

A  Great  Skua  shot  at  PAnglet  last  autumn  is  in  the  Bayonne 
Museum. 

171.  Stercorarius  pomatorhinus  (Temm.). 

172.  Stercorarius  crepidatus,  Gmel. 

I  picked  up  an  example  of  the  former  at  St.  Jean-de-Luz 


392  Canon  Ti'istrain  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

after  heavy  weather,  and  examined  a  young  Arctic  Skua  that 
had  recently  beeu  shot  at  Heudaye. 

173.  Procellaria  pelagica,  Linn, 

174.  Cymochorea  leucorriioa,  Vieill. 

The  Storm-Petrel  was  observed  during  the  winter  gales. 
I  saw  a  Fork-tailed  Petrel  which  had  recently  been  obtained 
at  St.  Jean-de-Luz  ;  and  Philippe  records  two  found  dead  on 
the  29th  October,  after  heavy  weather,  far  inland  at  Campau 
and  Pierrefitte. 

175.  PuFFiNus  KUHLi  (Boie) . 

It  is  the  Mediterranean  Shearwater,  and  not  P.  major 
of  the  North  Atlantic,  which  has  been  obtained  on  the  coast 
between  St.  Jean-de-Luz  and  Bayonne. 

176.  Alca  torda,  Linn. 

177.  Uria  troile  (Linn.). 

Both  the  Razorbill  and  Guillemot  were  common  in  the 
bay  in  January. 

178.  COLYMBUS  SEPTENTRIONALIS,  Linn. 

The  Red-throated  Diver  was  identified  in  the  bay,  and  I 
believe  I  saw  some  individuals  of  the  larger  species. 

This  is  a  poor  list  compared  with  that  of  M.  Lacroix,  which 
contains  nearly  350  species ;  but  if  his  example  were  followed, 
and  the  birds  of  the  coast  of  the  Mediterranean  as  far  as 
Marseilles,  with  all  the  Warblers  and  Waders  of  the  Camargue, 
were  included,  it  would  be  easy  to  add  another  fifty  "  on 
my  personal  knowledge.''^  But  the  latter  would  scarcely  be 
Birds  of  the  Pyrenees,  and  I  have  already  strained  a  point  iu 
regard  to  the  species  found  on  the  west  coast. 


XL. — Notes  on  the  Eighth  Volume  of  the  '  Catalogue  of  Birds 
in  the  British  Museum.'  By  H.  B.  Tristram,  D.D., 
F.R.S. 

No  work  more  complete  and  comprehensive  in  its  design 
than  the  British  Museum  Catalogue  has  ever  appeared  on 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  393 

ornithology.     It  would  be  unreasonable  to  expect  that  the 
volumes  of  a    series   so   wide-reaching    and  extensive^   and 
necessarily  the  work   of  various  authors,  should  be  exactly 
equal  in  exhaustiveness    or  accuracy,  still  less  that  in  the 
present  state  of  our  knowledge,  all  should   be  in  accord  as 
to  the  delimitation  of  the  various  groups,  whether  of  families 
or  genera.     On  this  point  the  writers  of  the  later  volumes 
on  the  Passeriformes  are  undoubtedly   at    a  disadvantage. 
Their  predecessors  could  pick  and  choose,  and  eliminate  from 
their  scheme  every  anomalous  form,  relegating  it,  if  not  too 
late,  to  the  Timelines  or  elsewhere.     The  writer  of  an  early 
volume  might  lay  down  his  diagnosis  of  family,  subfamily, 
or  genus,  and  gracefully  return  into   Dr.  Giinther's  hands 
every  proffered  species  which  does  not  shape  its  first  pri- 
mary, its  culmen,  or  the  scales  of  its  tarsi  according  to  the 
statute  in  that  case  made  and  provided.     But  a  day  of  re- 
tribution comes.     The  waste-paper  basket  must  be  cleared. 
The  unfortunate  exiles,  who  have  been  passed,  like  vagrants 
under  the  old  poor-law,  from  parish  to  parish,  must  find  a 
home  somewhere ;    and  the  task  of  finding  it  falls  to  the 
compiler  of    some  later    volumes,   where    Tatare,   Xenicus, 
Clytorhynchus,  Acanthisitta,   Ruticilla  moussieri,   and  many 
another  friendless  stranger  must  have  a  somewhat  general 
refuge  afforded  to  them.     Nor  can  we  expect  the  various 
authors  to  have  identical  views  on  the  specific  value  of  many 
forms.      Yet  we  may  reasonably  presume  that  the  system 
of  subdivision  shall  be  guided  by  the  same  general  principles. 
A  careful  examination  of  vol.  viii.  compels   us  to  the  con- 
clusion  that   Dr.  Gadow,   in  compiling  his   portion   of    the 
Catalogue,  has  too  often  disregarded  any  idea  of  conforming 
to  a  general  principle.     He  has,  to  take  the   case  of  the 
Paridse,  exercised  his  right  of  private  judgment  to  a  very 
liberal  extent.     But  our  complaint  is,  that  he  has  not  done 
this  on  any  uniform   or  consistent  principle.     We- are  be- 
wildered by  the  inclusion  or  exclusion  of  subspecies  or  races, 
but  no  information  is  given  as  to  why  one  form  has  specific 
rank,  another  subspecific,  and  a  third  is  classed  as  a  race. 
We  ask  in  vain  why  Pariis  leucopterus;  is  a  race  of  P.  niger, 


394  Canon  Tristram  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

wliile  P.  persicus  is   a  subspecies  of  P.  c(Bruleus.     To  au 
ordinary   observer  the   differences  of  the  former  are   more 
marked  than  those  of  the  latter.     Again^  P.   haplonotus  is 
made  a  subspecies  of   P.  xanthogenys,  which  is   sometimes 
carelessly  spoken  of  as  P.  jerdonl;  while  P.  beavani,  which, 
from  the  diagnosis  given,  as  well  as  in   actual  fact,  is  more 
decidedly  differentiated  from  P.   rufonuchalis  than  is  P.  hap- 
lonotus from  its  conspecific  form,  is  put  down  as  a  race,  whereas 
P.  castaneiventris  is  unhesitatingly  put  down  as  a  species. 
Sometimes  colour  is  ignored,  sometimes  size,  as  constituting 
specific  value;  but  it  is  all  haphazard.     To  take  the  instance 
of  the  American  P.  atricapillus  : — under  this  form  P.  occi- 
dentalis  is  ignored.     We  are  told  it  is  a  somewhat  differently 
coloured  race,  but  are  not  informed  what  are  the  differences  of 
colour.     P.  septentrionalis  is  also  ignored,  though  we  are  told 
the  differences,  both  in  size  and  colour ;  while  to  P.  caroli- 
nensis  is  granted  subspecific  rank.     Writing  with  specimens 
of  all  these  races  before  us,  we  are  sorry  to  say  we  cannot 
discover  the  justification  for  this  varied  mode  of  treatment. 
Certainly  the  claims  of  P.  septentrionalis  seem  as  great  as 
those  of   P.   carolinensis.      But  it  is  needless  to  multiply 
instances.      The  objection  is  not  to  the  use  of  the  terms 
"  race  "  and  "  subspecies,'^  but  only  to  their  capricious  appli- 
cation. 

In  the  formation  of  a  key  to  the  species,  valuable  as  such 
a  key  is  as  an  index  to  the  holder  of  an  unnamed  specimen, 
it  is  also  important  that,  if  possible,  it  should  be  so  arranged 
that  the  various  species,  when  classified  in  accordance  with 
it,  shall  show  some  sort  of  natural  order,  and  that  closely 
allied  species  shall  not  be  widely  separated  by  the  intrusion 
of  a  totally  different  group  between  them.  In  this  respect 
the  admirable  synopsis  of  Baron  de  Selys-Longchamps  seems 
to  commend  itself  at  once  by  its  simplicity  and  truthfulness. 
That  accomplished  naturalist  has  happily  seized  on  the  salient 
characters  and  arranged  them  in  such  a  manner  that  every 
bird,  with  its  subspecies  and  races,  seems  to  fall  into  its 
place  in  natural  order.  We  venture  to  reproduce  it  in 
translation  (Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  1884,  p.  76). 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds. 


395 


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396  Canon  Tristram  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

While  adopting  this  classification  and  key,  we  must  not 
be  supposed  to  endorse  all  the  Baron's  views  with  respect 
to  races,  though  happily  he  has  too  much  respect  for  Lin- 
naeus to  inundate  us  with  subspecies  ;  but  we  are  hardly 
yet  prepared  to  depose  our  old  friend  P.  teneriff<s  or  our  new 
acquaintance  P.  Jlavipectus  from  their  specific  position. 
Yet  we  are  convinced  that  a  more  careful  and  complete 
review  of  the  Parinse  has  never  yet  appeared.  But,  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  views  advocated  by  Baron  de  Selys-Longchamps, 
Dr.  Gadow,  and  Mr.  Seebohm  alike,  M.  Menzbier  has  enun- 
ciated a  totally  new  theory  (Revue  Scientifique,  Paris,  1884, 
p.  515),  holding  : — not  that  the  subspecies  of  Mr.  Seebohm  ai'e 
races  derived  from  a  common  type  and  modified  by  surround- 
ing conditions,  and  that  the  intermediate  examples  of  two 
found  near  the  geographical  limits  of  each  are  hybrids,  but 
that,  on  the  contrary,  many  of  these  are  good  aboriginal 
species,  e.  g.  P.flavipedus  and  P.  pleskii,  and  that  P.  cyanus 
and  P.  c(Bruleus  are  Tits  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  type,  busied  in 
the  absorption  of  the  local  species,  and  destined  ultimately 
to  exterminate  all  traces  of  their  rivals.  The  theory  is 
original ;  but  we  think  that  naturalists  will  hardly  yet  be 
prepared  to  accept  it,  nor  do  we  perceive  its  basis  of  facts,  so 
far  as  yet  set  forth. 

Passing  from  the  Paridse  to  the  Laniidje,  it  is  in  the  latter 
that  we  find  the  errors  of  this  volume  most  apparent.  It  is 
not,  howevei'.  Dr.  Gadow's  fault,  but  that  of  his  predecessors, 
that  he  has  been  compelled  to  dislocate  Gymnorhina  from 
Strepera.  But  we  cannot  pass  over  without  a  protest  the 
inclusion  of  Clytorhyiichus  under  Xenopirostris.  To  say 
nothing  of  the  one  being  a  well-marked  Madagascar  genus, 
and  the  other  a  native  of  New  Caledonia,  we  find  that  though 
the  wing-formula  is  similar,  yet  in  other  points  they  differ 
widely.  The  bill  of  the  New  Caledonian  is  not  nearly  so 
elevated  or  convex  as  in  Xenopirostris ;  while  tlie  rictal 
bristles,  feeble  and  scarcely  to  be  detected  in  the  latter,  are 
very  strong  and  powerful  in  the  former.  I  say  nothing  of 
the  brilliant  plumage  of  all  the  Madagascar  birds  and  of  the 
sombre  uniform   drab  of  the   New^  Caledonian.     Dr.  Gadow 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  397 

seems  to  have  had  before  him  only  a  solitary  example  of  the 
genus  from  Madagascar ;  but  he  had  a  pair  of  the  New 
Caledonian  species.  His  description  is  unintelligible,  unless 
"outer,"  inlineCjbe  aslipofthepen  for  ^^inner;"  andspeaking 
from  a  careful  examination  of  eight  specimens  now  before  me,  I 
can  say  that  it  would  be  scarcely  possible  for  the  whitish  ter- 
minal tip  on  the  outer  central  pair  of  tail-feathers  to  wear  off 
until  the  tail  was  worn  to  a  stump.  There  is  no  authority  for 
Dr.  Gadow^s  statement  that  this  bird  is  a  native  of  the  New 
Hebrides.  The  fact  is  that  it  is  a  typical  Myiolestes,  a  peculiar 
Pacific-Ocean  family,  from  which  there  is  no  pretext  for  dis- 
sociating it ;  it  is  intermediate  between  M.  vitiensis  and 
M.  maxima,  while  M.  nigrogularis  from  Fiji  makes  a  far 
nearer  approach  to  Xenopirostris. 

But  it  is  to  the  classification  of  the  Pachycephalinse  that 
we  take  most  exception.  We  have  certainly  not  to  complain 
here  of  races  and  subspecies,  but  of  wholesale  '^'^lumping^' 
without  any  reason  assigned,  in  defiance  both  of  literature 
and  of  specimens,  even  when  the  latter  are  in  the  British 
Museum.  There  is  no  class  of  birds  in  which  the  variations 
in  colour  are  more  interesting  or  important — not  only  every 
Pacific  group,  but  in  many  cases  each  island  of  a  group 
having  its  own  localized  form.  Be  they  species  or  not,  they 
are  recognizable,  and  the  catalogue  which  does  not  notice 
these  modifications  with  a  reference  to  their  bearing  on 
geographical  distribution  is  valueless. 

Under  the  first  species  given,  Pachycephala  melanura,  we 
find  included  P.  macrorhyncha  and  P.  clio.  We  should 
hesitate  to  reject  Salvadori's  very  clear  diagnosis  of  P.  ma- 
crorhyncha because  sometimes  a  few  black  feathers  may 
occur  on  the  side  of  the  neck.  There  may  certainly  be  a 
tendency  to  inosculate  in  all  these  closely  allied  forms.  The 
Sula  and  Bouru  form,  P.  clio  of  Wallace,  is  rejected  because 
"  the  colour  of  the  upper  tail-coverts  is  of  no  specihc  im- 
portance.^^ But  Wallace  gives  other  distinctive  characters, 
size  and  broader  pectoral  band,  which  hold  good  in  our 
specimens ;  besides  which  we  find  the  black  of  the  tail  more 
intense,  and  the  rectrices  edged  with  deep  yellow  instead  of 

SER.  v. VOL.   II.  3fi 


398  Canon  Tristram  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

silver  grey.     We  presume  that  the   writer  must  have  ex- 
amined these  birds  by  gas-  or  candle-light. 

We  observe  throughout  the  volume  that  every  species 
described  by  Mr.  E.  P.  Ramsay  is  invariably  accepted  with- 
out hesitation  or  question,  and  consequently  the  one  sub- 
species admitted  in  this  genus  is  P.  kandavensis,  the  descrip- 
tion being  copied,  but  no  specimen  examined ;  for  the  three 
specimens  in  the  British  Museum  from  Kandavu,  Dr.  Gadow 
very  rightly  relegates  to  P.  vitieusis.  It  seems  impossible, 
from  the  description,  to  distinguish  the  two.  But  unfortu- 
nately Mr.  Layard^s  observations  have  been  quite  overlooked  ; 
they  point  out  that  P.  vitiensis  is  the  special  form  of 
Kandavu,  and  it  is  scarcely  probable  that  a  second  very 
closely  allied,  if  not  indistinguishable,  race  should  occur  in 
the  same  very  small  island.  Next,  in  describing  P.  gutturalis, 
the  author  says,  "  I  have  copied  Ramsay^s  description  of 
P.  occidentalis,  although  the  specimens  from  Western  Aus- 
tralia in  the  Museum  do  not  agree  with  his  diagnosis  "  ! 
We  can  only  add,  neither  do  our  own  three  from  Western 
Australia.  Yet  the  next  species  is  P.  occidentalis,  without  a 
specimen  to  justify  it.  On  P.  littayei,  adult  female,  is  the 
remark,  ^'^  Canon  Tristram  says  'the  female  is  little  less 
brilliant  in  colour  than  her  mate.' "  Then  the  writer  pro- 
ceeds to  state,  as  if  in  contradiction  to  this  statement,  the 
differences,  which  are  taken  word  for  word  from  the  descrip- 
tion by  Tristram.  This  seems  scarcely  a  fair  way  of  treating 
a  describer.  But  P.  astrolabi  is  perhaps  one  of  the  least 
excusable  of  all  the  mistakes  of  the  volume.  Having  assumed 
that  P.  chi'istojjhori  is  identical  with  P.  astrolabi,  Dr.  Gadow 
proceeds,  "  The  diagnosis  given  by  Tristram  for  his  P.  chris- 
tophori  {^)  agrees  with  an  immature  male  of  P.  astrolabi." 
But  just  above  he  has  described  the  young  male,  stating  it 
is  one  of  the  types  of  P.  christojjhori.  We  have  seldom  met 
with  a  more  amusing  instance  of  begging  the  question.  The 
very  measurements  given  might  have  created  some  suspicion  ; 
they  are  7'7,  0-9,  4-2,  3,  and  1,  as  against  6,  0-75,  3-4,  2*5, 
1.  More  correctly  the  last  three  measurements  should  have 
been  3-1,  2*4,  and  09.      Not  only  is  there  this  material 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  399 

difference  in  size,  but  the  adult  male  of  P.  christophori  has 
an  olive-green,  not  a  black  head,  has  no  vestige  of  a  yellow 
collar  behind,  has  tail  olive-green  instead  of  black,  and  has 
the  black  collar  in  front  double  the  depth  of  that  of  P.  astrolabi. 
In  fact  there  are  no  two  birds  of  the  yellow-throated  group 
more  widely  separated :  one  is  the  largest  and  the  other  the 
smallest  of  the  group.  Of  both  we  possess  adult  and  young 
of  both  sexes.  With  the  next  species,  P.  torquata,  is  united 
P.  intermedia,  Layard.  The  references  are  given  to  Mr. 
Layard''s  very  careful  observations  on  the  spot,  from  the 
P.  Z.  S.  and  ^Ibis,'  but  his  remarks  are  totally  ignored.  He 
has  pointed  out  that  P.  torquata  is  confined  to  Taviuni,  while 
on  Viti  Levu  is  found  P.  intermedia.  1£  Dr.  Gadow  has  ever 
seen  the  two  together  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  he  could 
have  confounded  them.  The  one  has  a  black  gorget,  the  other  a 
faint  black  line;  the  one  has  the  throat  and  all  the  lo^er 
plumage  rich  orange,  the  other  has  the  underside  yellow ;  the 
back  of  the  one  is  very  dark  olive,  the  other  very  pale  olive- 
green.  P.  torquata  has  no  loral  yellow  spot,  P.  intermedia 
has.  The  description  of  the  female  of  P.  torquata  is  scarcely 
recognizable  from  the  type,  while  the  female  of  P.  intermedia 
is  totally  different,  being  brown  and  mottled  grey  instead  of 
chocolate.  But  it  is  unfortunately  evident  that  while  Mr. 
Layard^s  papers  have  been  referred  to,  they  have  not  been 
read. 

A  similar  ignoring  of  authorities  meets  us  in  the  next 
species  of  the  Catalogue,  P.  graeffei,  to  which  is  united  the 
distinct  species  P.  neglect  a.  Not  a  word  of  explanation  is 
given,  and  yet  the  descriptions  and  notes  of  Layard  are  re- 
ferred to  as  though  they  had  been  examined.  P.  graeffei  is 
confined  to  Vanua  Levu,  P.  neglecta  to  Ovalau.  The  under- 
side of  the  former  is  deep  orange,  with  yellow  loral  spots,  of  the 
latter  rich  brilliant  yellow,  with  no  loral  spots.  Even  if  these 
differences  be  not  specific,  subspecific,  or  racial,  they  ought 
at  least  to  have  been  mentioned  for  the  guidance  of  students. 
P.  jacquinoti  is  next  described  merely  as  "  very  similar  to 
P.  astrolabi,  Bp.,  but  differing  from  that  species  in  having  the 
whole  throat  and  fore  neck  deep  shining  black."     There  is 

2g2 


400  Canoa  Tristram  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

no  description  given  of  the  female,  whieli  is  strikingly  distinct 
from  that  of  any  other  of  the  group. 

We  do  not  understand  why  P.  xanthetraea  is  changed  into 
xantherythrcBa,  unless  it  be  that  the  writer  was  not  aware 
of  the  derivation,  which  is  from  rjrpov,  the  belly,  and  has  no 
connection  with  ipv6p6<;,  as  he  seems  to  have  supposed.  It 
is  also  curious  to  have  P.  grisola  described  from  an  Andaman- 
Island  specimen^  and  three  Burmese  specimens  quoted,  while 
the  habitat  is  given  as  Java,  Sumatra,  N.W.  Borneo. 

On  the  genus  Lanius  there  is  much  less  room  for  criticism. 
We  think  we  detect  Mr.  Seebohm^s  guiding  hand,  and  we 
cannot  complain  of  ''  lumping  "  here,  excepting  in  one  or  two 
cases.  The  writer  who  could  separate  L.  fallax  and  L. 
eleyans  ought  to  have  been  able  to  recognize  L.  excubitoroides 
from  L.  ludovicianus.  The  division  into  species  seems  carried 
to  its  utmost  limits,  when,  e.  g.,  we  find  L.  mollis  granted  full 
specific  rank  on  the  strength  of  tail-coverts  ^'^  sandy"^buff " 
instead  of  "  creamy  greyish  white  "  ! !  and  the  microscopic 
distinction  between  L.  homeyeri  and  L.  leucopterus  admitted. 
It  is  also  admitted  that  in  Turkestan  the  two  species  (?)  inter- 
breed. But  it  is  when  we  reach  the  six  species  L.  fallax,  assi- 
milis,  hemileucurus,  grimmi,  dealbatus,  and  elegans  that  the 
genius  of  splitting  has  reached  its  fullest  development.  On  L. 
elegans  we  may  observe  that  the  only  specimens,  excepting 
the  type,  presented  to  the  British  Museum  by  the  Hudson-Bay 
Company  were  all  procured  by  ourselves.  The  type  may  be 
dismissed  by  common  consent,  since,  not  being  L.  ludovi- 
cianus, there  must  be  some  error  in  assigning  it  to  the  fur- 
countries.  Our  specimens,  though  attributed  to  Algeria  and 
Tunis  in  the  Catalogue,  do  not  come  from  Cisatlantic  Algeria 
or  Tunis,  but  from  the  oases  of  the  M^zab  country  in  the 
Sahara.  They  were  all  shot  by  myself,  except  one  by  Mr.  J.  H. 
Gurney,  Jun.,  during  his  visit  to  theM^zab  in  1870.  But  in  the 
same  oases  I  shot,  together  with  the  previous  specimens,  several 
birds  which  are  now  decided  to  be  L.  hemileucurus.  All  my  spe- 
cimens of  the  latter  oxe  female,  of  the  former  male,  and  no  other 
Shrike  has  been  met  with  in  the  district.  It  is  important  to 
remember  that  no  grey  Shrike,  except  L.  algeriensis,  occurs 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogue  of  Birds.  401 

north  of  the  Atlas,  so  tliat  the  expressions  Tunis,  Algeria, 
may  mislead.  However,  it  is  admitted  that  "every  inter- 
mediate stage  in  coloration  occurs  between  L.  hemileucurus 
and  L.  fallax  ;  "  which  being  admitted,  and  the  geographical 
range  being  identical,  the  species  we  think  may  not  un- 
reasonably be  called  in  question.  L.  assimilis,  which  seems 
to  me  only  an  eastern  race  of  L.  hemileucurus,  is  stated  to 
have  a  most  extraordinary  habitat,  viz.,  "  Sennaar  and  the 
White  Nile,  ranging  through  Turkestan  to  the  Amoor/^  The 
only  authority  for  Sennaar  and  the  White  Nile  is  a  solitary 
purchased  immature  skin  in  the  British  Museum  without 
further  history  than  "  East  Africa."  We  fear  this  is  very 
slender  evidence  for  so  exceptional  a  career. 

Again,  on  L.  fallax,  which  has  borne  in  turn  no  less  than 
six  aliases,  from  all  of  which   it  is  now  excluded,  we   find 
some  remarks  which  may  somewhat  shake  our  confidence  in 
the  soundness  of .  these  diagnoses.     L.  fallax  is  stated  to  be 
a  paler  race  of  L.  aJgei'iensis,  but  differing  in  some  minute 
particulars.     But,  on  the  other  hand,  we  have  a  species,  L. 
uncinatus,  from  Socotra,  the  distinguishing  feature  of  which 
is  its  strong  and  hooked  bill.     We  find  that  a  Palestine  bird 
has    the    bill   just    as    much    developed    as    the    Socotran. 
From  this  is  drawn  the  inference  that  the  Palestine  birds 
are  intermediate  between  L.  fallax  and  L.  uncinatus.     I  do 
not  for  a  moment  question  the  fact,  but  I  doubt  if  there  be 
any  ground  for  separation,  specific,  subspecific,  or  racial.     I 
find  my  specimens  from  the   same  locality,  obtained  at  the 
same  time,  are  placed  some  in  one  category,  some  in  another. 
Verily  these  definitions  would  have  gladdened  the  heart  of 
the  elder  Brehm  !     I  observe  that  my  male  specimens  are 
placed  in  one  series  and  my  female  in  another.     The  only 
conclusion  we  can  arrive  at  here  is  that  the  species-making 
is   a  little  overdone  in  the  Laniinae,  to  atone  perhaps  for 
the  very  diff'erent  treatment  meted  out  to  the  Pachycepha- 
linse. 

When  we  come  to  theEthiopian  forms,  we  find Laniuscollaris 
and  L.  humeralis  treated  as  merely  races,  on  the  ground  that 
in  the   debatable  land  of  Natal  the  South-African  and  the 


402  Canon  Tristram  on  the  Eighth  Volume 

Abyssinian  forms,  in  two  or  three  specimens,  appear  to  run 
into  each  other;  L.  smithli,  a  very  marked  form   of  Lanius, 
follows  as  a  subspecies,  while  L.  fuscatus,  so  closely  allied 
to  L.  schach,  enjoys   full    specific   dignity.      A  like  incon- 
sistency is  shown  in  the  case  of  L.  cristatus  and  L.  svper- 
ciliosus,  the  latter  being  simply  a  more  brightly  coloured 
form,  with  no  specific   distinction.     As  to  its  distribution, 
we  are  told  that  it  winters  in  Java,  Malacca,  and  the  Philip- 
pines, and  in   spring  migrates  northwards  through  China, 
breeding  in    Japan,   Mantchooria,    and  Mongolia  south  of 
Lake  Baikal.     I  cannot  discover  the  authority  for  these  state- 
ments, which  are  directly  contrary  to  the  very  exhaustive 
account    of   this    Shrike    by    Lord  Tweeddale    (Ibis,   1867, 
pp.  218-220).     The  only  specimens  in  the  British  Museum 
arc  from  Malacca.     A  startling  phenomenon  in  geographical 
distribution  is  presented  in  the  case  of  L.  speculiger-vs,  which 
is  stated  to  be  found  in  Dauria,  Turkestan,  Afghanistan,  and 
Abyssinia  (!).     The  authority  for  this  last  locality  seems  to 
be  a  specimen  from  King  M^tesa's  country,  which  is   not 
exactly  Abyssinia,  according  to  our  ideas.     But  the  explana- 
tion is,  that  the  writer  has  confused  the  North- Asiatic  bird 
with  Hartlaub's  L.  gubei'nator,  from  Equatorial  Africa,  now 
before  us,  a    perfectly  distinct  species,  which   is   altogether 
ignored.     The   description  of  L.  speculifferus  is  quoted  from 
Finsch ;   but  we  have  not  been  able  to  discover  where  he  has 
described  it.       While  on  the   subject  of  nomenclature,   we 
may  express  surprise  that  Dr.  Gadow  has  selected  tigrinus  as 
the  name  for  L.  magnirostris,  having  apparently  overlooked 
the  unanswerable  article  of  Lord  Tweeddale    (Ibis,   1867, 
pp.  221  et  seq.). 

Turning  to  the  Nuthatches,  we  may  remark  that  Sitta 
syriaca  is  stated  to  occur  in  Palestine,  while  S.  neumayeri  is 
assigned  to  the  north,  the  Balkans,  Asia  Minor,  and  North 
Persia.  It  is  this  latter  alone  which  has  been  found  in 
Palestine ;  but  I  have  repeatedly  shot  both  forms  on  the  same 
rocks,  and  once  by  the  same  shot,  in  the  Taurid.  The 
diflPerence  between  the  two  so-called  species  is  merely  size. 
After  finding  them  recognized  as  distinct  species,  it  is  sur- 


of  the  B.  M.  Catalogae  of  Birds.  403 

prising  to  see  S.  aciiieuta  merged  under  S.  carolinensis ;  for 
the  differences,  if  slight,  are  constant.  But  yet  stranger  is 
it  to  read  that  S.  villosa,  from  China,  is  a  subspecies,  "scarcely 
specifically  distinct  from  the  widely  ranging  North-American 
S.  canadensis."  On  the  contrary,  there  are  few  Nuthatches 
more  markedly  distinct.  The  tail-feathers  of  the  American  bird 
are  black,  with  a  white  subterminal  bar  and  brown  extremities. 
The  Chinese  has  black  rectrices  with  whity-brown  extremities. 
The  throat  is  ashen  instead  of  white,  there  is  no  white  nuchal 
collar,  nor  any  black  patch  on  the  side  of  the  neck ;  the 
black  cap  does  not  extend  more  than  half  as  far ;  the  back 
is  a  more  ashen  hue,  and  the  whole  underside  russet-brown 
instead  of  rich  fawn-colour. 

Occasional  misprints  cannot  be  avoided  by  the  most  careful 
compiler ;  but  there  are,  unfortunately,  exceptionally  nume- 
rous errors  in  this  volume  which  cannot  be  attributed  to  the 
printer.  Some  of  these  are  mere  oversights,  as  when  we  are 
told  four  times  over  that  the  tarsus  of  Parus  lugubris  is  over 
2*7  in.  But  in  the  references  to  authorities  they  continually 
occur,  to  the  great  inconvenience  of  the  student.  Thus, 
p.  80,  we  find  P.  Z.  S.  1863,  pp.  336,  451,  instead  of  1863, 
p.  336,  and  1870,  p.  451 ;  on  p.  190  we  find  Ibis,  1879, 
p.  147,  when  it  ought  to  be  Ibis,  1877,  p.  357.  But  it  is 
needless  to  waste  time  on  errata,  as  we  trust  a  sheet  of  them 
will  soon  be  published.  Our  complaint  against  the  volume 
is  that  it  gives  no  sign,  except  in  such  cases  as  the  Grey 
Shrikes,  of  the  care  and  labour  which  has  been  bestowed  on 
the  previous  volumes.  We  do  not  wish  to  be  captious  or 
unreasonable  critics  ;  but  ornithologists  have  a  right  to  ex- 
pect that  the  papers  of  the  describers  of  species  (especially 
when  they  have  been  field -naturalists  working  on  the  spot, 
and  giving  the  life-habit  of  the  bird,  like  Mr.  E.  L.  Layard) 
should  at  least  be  looked  at,  and  their  specimens  examined, 
instead  of  being  passed  over  sub  silentio.  Ornithologists 
have  also  a  right  to  expect  that  the  compilers  of  the  catalogues, 
while  each  is  quite  free  to  adopt  his  own  views  of  classifica- 
tion and  arrangements,  should  yet  be,  in  some  slight  degree, 
consistent  in  their  method,  and — may  we  add? — that  some 
one  at  least  should  verify  the  references. 


404    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  ojChamba. 

XLI. — Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba,  in  the  N.W. 
Himalayas.     By  Major  C,  H.  T.  Marshall. 

(Plate  X.) 

Chamba  is  a  native  state,  lying  between  32°-40°  N.  lat.  and 
76°-78°E.  long.,  bordered  on  the  nortb  and  west  by  Kashmir 
and  Ladakh,  on  the  soutli  and  east  by  Kangra  and  the  plains 
of  the  Pnnjab.  It  contains  3200  square  miles  of  mountainous 
country.  Of  this  large  area  only  100,000  acres  are  cultivated  ; 
the  rest  consists  of  snowy  and  rocky  mountains,  grassy  hills, 
and  vast  forests  of  cedar,  pine,  oak,  birch,  &c.  Through  it 
run  the  rivers  Ravi  and  Chenab  and  the  three  great  ranges  of 
mountains — the  Western  Himalayas,  the  Mid  Himalayas, 
and  the  Outer  Himalayas.  The  first  borders  the  Chenab 
river  and  the  Pangi  valley,  the  snowy  peaks  averaging  20,770 
feet  and  the  passes  15,700  feet.  The  second  cuts  through 
the  middle  of  the  State  and  divides  the  Chenab  from  the  Ravi ; 
its  snowy  peaks  average  19,000  feet  and  the  passes  15,000. 
The  third  forms  the  boundary  between  Kangra  and  Chamba, 
averages  about  13,000  feet,  and  is  clear  of  snow  in  the 
summer. 

The  climate  is,  as  might  be.  supposed,  very  varied,  from 
the  suffocating  heat  in  summer  of  the  low  closed-in  valleys 
to  the  bracing  cold  of  the  glaciers  among  the  eternal  snows. 
The  species  included  in  the  subjoined  list  form  a  very  varied 
selection,  comprising  the  Rose- Finch  and  Chough,  dwellers 
among  the  highest  passes,  with  the  Ring-Dove  and  Grey 
Shrike  of  the  plains. 

I  have  been  administering  the  State  for  the  last  four  and 
a  half  years  for  the  Raja,  who  is  a  minor.  I  have  had  many 
opportunities  of  observing  the  avifauna  of  the  neighbourhood, 
though  I  must  confess  that  I  have  not  done  so  much  as  I 
might,  and  I  fear  my  list  is  not  very  perfect  as  far  as  the 
birds  of  the  higher  regions  are  concerned. 

The  greater  part  of  my  observations  M'ere  made  within  a 
radius  of  ten  miles  of  the  town  of  Chamba  itself,  where  I 
spent  the  winter  months.     It  is  on  a  plateau  overhanging  the 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    405 

Ravi  at  an  elevation  of  3300  feet.  In  January  and  February 
it  is  the  resort  of  a  great  number  of  birds  driven  from  the 
uplands  by  stress  of  Tveather.  Thrushes,  Finches,  Warblers, 
and  Bulbuls  flock  in  hundreds  in  the  gardens^  and  out  in  the 
fields  may  be  found  swarms  of  Snow-,  Wood-^  and  Rock- 
Pigeons.  Of  the  265  species  I  have  observed,  one  seems  to 
be  new,  and  there  are  several  genera  which  have  not  yet  been 
noticed  so  far  north-west  as  this,  such  as  Tarsiger,  Ixulus, 
and  others.  Again,  Turdus  ruficollis  and  Ruticilla  erythro- 
gastra  have  never,  I  believe,  been  recorded  as  having  occurred 
at  so  low  an  elevation  as  3000  feet. 

1.  VuLTUR  MONACHUS.     "  Kala-gid.^' 

I  have  frequently  seen  these  huge  Vultures  floating  up  and 
down  the  valley  in  the  winter  and  spring,  never  more  than 
two  at  a  time.  Search  has  been  made  in  vain  for  their 
breeding-haunts.  The  hill- men  declare  that  it  does  breed 
on  precipitous  cliffs  further  inland  than  Chamba,  but  they 
have  never  succeeded  in  bringing  me  an  egg.  Mr.  Hume 
says  that  an  egg  was  extracted  from  the  oviduct  of  a  female 
between  this  and  Murree;  I  have  therefore  still  hopes  of 
learning  more  about  its  nidification. 

2.  Otogyps  calvus. 

The  King  Vulture  is  an  occasional  visitor.  He  comes 
flying  up  the  Ravi  from  the  plains  every  now  and  again  in 
search  of  food,  but  never  seems  to  remain  long  or  to  go 
further  inland.  This  species  does  not  breed  within  Chamba 
limits. 

^ter.  Gyps  HiMALAYANUs.     "  Burra-gid.^' 

The  Himalayan  Griflbn  is  not  common,  but  is  to  be  found 
in  suitable  localities  throughout  the  mountains  of  Chamba. 
I  have  seen  them  soaring  over  the  snowy  range  towards  the 
Pangi  valley.  They  breed  on  lofty  and  generally  inaccessible 
cliff's  in  January  and  February.  The  late  Major  Cock  (the 
best  birds'-nester  in  India)  found  their  eggs  near  Dharrasala, 
which  is  on  the  borders  of  this  State.  As  far  as  I  can  ascer- 
tain, they  do  not  breed  on  the  other  side  of  the  eternal 
snows. 


406    Major  C.  H.  T.  MarsluiU  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 

5.  Gyps  bengalensis.     "  Gid/^ 

Fairly  common ;  breeds  in  the  large  peepul  and  mangos 
trees  at  low  elevations,  where  the  outer  range  runs  into  the 
Sewaliks. 

6.  Neophron  ginginianus.     "  Safayd-gid/' 

This  ubiquitous  Vulture  includes  Chamba  in  its  hunting- 
grounds.  During  the  summer  I  have  seen  it  up  as  high  as 
7000  feet  elevation.  It  breeds  in  the  cliffs  in  the  warm 
valleys. 

7.  Gypaetus  barbatus.     '^  Okhah." 

Common  all  over  the  hills  on  this  side  of  the  snowy  range. 
I  have  seen  its  eyries  on  precipitous  cliffs,  but  have  never 
taken  the  eggs.  The  natives  give  it  the  name  applied  to  the 
Tawny  Eagle  in  the  plains. 

13.   Falco  subbuteo. 

17.  Falco  tinnunculus. 

21.  AsTUR  PALUMBARius.  "  Jura,"  (^  ]  "  Baz,"  $, 
The  Goshawk  is  found  throughout  Chamba  in  suitable 
localities.  It  breeds  in  forests  at  high  elevations.  It  is 
much  prized  for  hawking,  and  in  the  autumn  nets  are  fixed, 
baited  with  live  Pigeons,  on  the  crests  of  the  hills  about 
which  they  resort,  and  several  are  captured  yearly.  A  female 
Goshawk  untrained  fetches  from  50  to  80  rupees,  the  male 
is  less  esteemed.  They  are  used  in  Chamba  for  hawking 
Pheasants  and  Ducks. 

23.  AsTUR  RADIUS.     "  Nikka  basa." 

24.  AcciPiTER  Nisus.     "  Basa.'' 

This  and  the  preceding  are  common.  They  are  often 
caught  and  trained  for  hawking  Quails  and  small  birds. 

26.  Aquila  chrysaetus.     ''  Muriari.'^ 

The  Golden  Eagle  seldom  comes  down  into  the  valleys, 
but  is  frequently  to  be  met  with  in  the  interior  at  high  eleva- 
tions, generally  near  the  snowy  ranges,  over  which  it  passes 
into  Pangi.  It  a  great  enemy  to  the  Moual  and  other 
Pheasants,  so  a  reward  is  placed  upon  its  head.     More  than 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  uf  Chamba.    407 

twelve  specimens  have  been  brought  to  me  within  the  last 
four  years.  One  was  secured  alive^  while  fighting  with  another 
over  the  carcass  of  a  lamb^  by  some  hill-men  who  were  watch- 
ing their  flocks.  I  kept  it  for  some  time,  feeding  it  on 
Mynas,  but  one  day  it  managed  to  make  its  escape. 

27.  Aquila  mogilnik. 
Occurs  sparingly. 

32.  Neopus  malaccensis. 

33.  NiSAETUS  BONELLII. 

The  nest  of  this  Eagle  was  found  on  a  ledge  on  a  precipitous 
cliff  over  the  river  Ravi,  quite  inaccessible  without  scaling- 
ropes. 

36.  Spizaetus  nipalensis. 

I  have  only  seen  one  Hawk-Eagle,  on  a  dead  tree  in  the 
Kajiar  forest.     It  is  not  known  to  the  native  shikaris. 

39.  Spilornis  cheela. 

The  Serpent-Eagle  breeds  in  Chamba.  Capt.  Cock  found 
several  nests  near  Dharmsala,  which  is  on  our  border,  I 
have  never  been  successful  in  finding  the  egg  myself. 

45.   BUTEO  canescens. 

I  believe  that  Buteo  plumipes  also  occurs  in  these  hills.  I 
have  seen  birds  that  appeared  to  belong  to  this  species,  but 
failed  to  secure  them  ;  I  do  not  therefore  include  it  in  my 
list. 

56.  MiLvus  govinda.     "Eel." 

56  ter.  Milvus  affinis.     "  Eel." 

Both  species  are  found  within  the  Chamba  limits. 

63.    SyRNIUM  INDRANI. 

66.  SyRNIUM  NIVICOLUM. 

In  higher  ranges ;  several  specimens  brought  in. 

67.  Asio  oTus. 

Two  specimens  shot  in  the  winter  near  the  town. 

70.  Bubo  coromandus.     "  Ooloo." 

Owls   are  here,   as  in  many  other  places,  looked  upon  as 


408     Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  o>i  the  Birds  uf  Chutaba. 

birds  of  ill  onien^  the  present  species  more  esjiecially  so.  It 
is  shot  wherever  founds  and  the  body  thrown  into  the  nearest 
river,  so  that  the  bad  luck  connected  with  them  may  be 
washed  away. 

74<bis.  Scops  suNiA.     "  Dundul.^' 

74  ^er.  Scops  spilocephalus. 

75  bis.  Scops  plumipes. 

I  have  only  distinguished  three  species  of  Scops  in  the 
forests  at  an  elevation  of  from  6000  to  7000  feet.  Their 
calls  are  very  distinct ;  one  says  chock  chuk  chuk,  another 
chuk  chuk  chuk,  and  the  third  chuk  chock  chock  chuk.  At 
least  this  is  the  nearest  1  can  make  out  of  their  notes  on 
paper.  They  commence  calling  in  May  about  dusk,  but  as 
soon  as  the  rainy  season  begins  the  weird  sounds  cease.  I 
found  the  eggs  of  <S.  spilocephalus  at  Murree  in  1872,  but 
have  not  been  successful  here. 

79.  Athene  cucuLoiDEs.     ''Burra  dundul." 

80.  Glaucidium  brodiei. 

Very  common  all  through  forests,  where  on  summer 
nights  the  quaint  double  whistle  is  heard  on  all  sides. 

82.  HiRUNDO  RUSTicA.     ^'  Charairi." 

The  common  House-Swallow  of  Chamba.  They  arrive  in 
the  spring  in  numbers,  frequently  as  early  as  February  1st, 
and  stay  here  till  the  autumn.  A  nest  may  be  found  in  every 
third  or  fourth  house  during  April  and  May.  A  Swallow's 
nest  in  the  house  is  looked  upon  as  a  good  omen  by  the 
householder. 

84.     HiRUNUO   riLIFERA. 

85  bis.  HiRUNDo  daurica. 

This  species  does  not  come  down  into  the  valleys,  but  is 
common  during  the  summer  at  Dalhousie  (7000  feet). 

90  bis.  CoTYLE  pallida. 

91.     CoTYLE   RUPESTRIS. 

93.  Chehdox  casumiriexsis. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    409 

98.  Cypselus  melba. 

I  have  seen  flocks  of  these  Swifts  in  the  interior,  but  have 
not  discovered  their  breeding-grounds.  I  shot  one  out  of  a 
flock  circling  over  a  pool  about  6000  feet  up,  in  the  month 
of  May. 

99.  Cypselus  apus. 

The  Common  Swift  is  rare  in  Chamba.  I  have  only  seen 
a  few  stragglers. 

100.  Cypselus  affinis. 

A  large  flock  breeds  every  summer  under  the  balconies  of 
the  Raja's  palace.  They  leave  Chamba  regularly  about  the 
1st  December,  and  return  again  on  the  1st  March. 

107.  Capkimulgus  indicus. 

In  the  warm  valleys  and  up  at  the  hill-station  of  Dal- 
housie  during  the  months  of  June  and  July,  where  its  dismal 
note  may  be  heard  all  the  night  through. 

109.  Capkimulgus  albonotatus. 

I  have  only  met  with  this  Nightjar  in  the  cedar-forest  of 
Kajiar.  Its  note  is  very  distinct  from  the  other — chok-chok- 
chok,  a  pause  between  each, 

114.  Capkimulgus  monticola. 
In  the  Chamba  valley  only. 

129.  Halcyon  SMYKNENsis.     '' Nula  rauchrala.^' 
Only  a  winter  visitor  in  the  low  valleys. 

134.  Alcedo  BENGALENsis.     '^  Nika  muchrala." 
Found  about  the  streams  where  they  debouch  from  the 
hills.     . 

137.  Cekyle  guttata.     "  Jel  butara." 

There  is  a  pair  of  these  Kingfishers  about  every  ten  or 
twelve  miles  along  the  big  streams  in  the  interior.  I  have 
twice  found  their  nesting-holes  in  precipitous  fbanks  over 
rushing  torrents.  They  breed  in  April  and  May.  The  holes 
were  practically  inaccessible,  so  I  never  secured  their 
eggs. 


410    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 

149.  Pal^.ornis  purpurascens. 
Common  on  the  outer  slopes. 

150.  Pal^eornts  schisticeps. 

Breeds  in  the  forests  in  the  first  range.  Horse-chestnut 
and  bird-cherries  are  the  trees  in  which  they  generally  make 
the  holes  for  their  nests. 

154.  Picus  HiMALAYENSis.     "  Turkau.^' 

157.    PiCUS  MACEI. 

159.  Picus  brunneifrons. 

160.  Picus  mahrattensis. 
Only  in  the  Chamba  valley. 

170.  Gecinus  squamatus.     ^^Tuktola." 

172.  Gecinus  occipitalis. 

174.  Chrysophlegma  chlorolophus. 

I  shot  two  in  February  1882  at  an  elevation  of  5000  feet. 

180.  Brachypternus  aurantius. 

Seen  occasionally  in  the  Ravi  valley  in  the  winter. 

188.  Iynx  torquilla. 

191.  Megal/ema  MARSHALLORUM.  "  Traiho.""^ 
This  Barbet  comes  down  to  Chamba  in  the  winter,  goiiig 
about  in  flocks  of  six  or  eight.  In  the  summer  it  is  common 
in  all  the  forests,  the  woods  resounding  with  its  loud  miaow 
miaow,  four  or  five  all  answering  each  other  from  the  tops 
of  diff'erent  trees,  each  one  seeming  as  if  he  was  trying  to 
call  louder  than  the  other. 

195.  Megal^ma  asiatica.     "^  Hutiiruru.^^ 
Common  in  the  winter  on  the  fig-trees  about  the  Chamba 
town.     Breeds  in  the  forests  at  low  elevations, 

199.  CUCULUS  CANORUS. 

200.  CuCULUS  HIMALAYENSIS. 

For  a  long  time  T  was  puzzled  about  the  call  of  this  Cuckoo, 
the  deep  booming  notes  sounding  something  between  the 
notes  of  the  Hoopoe  and  the  Green  Pigeon.     One  day,  how- 


Major  C.  H,  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    411 

ever,  I  caught  him  on  a  bare  branch,  with  his  throat  puffed 
and  tail  erect,  booming  away,  and  so  recognized  my  friend. 

203.  CucuLus  MicROPTERUS.  '^  Kupulpukld." 
The  "  Kupulpukki "  is  very  common  about  Dalhousie  in 
the  summer.  The  natives  believe  it  to  be  the  ghost  of  a 
shepherd  who  has  lost  his  sheep ;  and  the  translation  of  the 
call,  as  they  make  it  out,  is — "  I  left  my  sheep  in  a  cool  ravine, 
and  I  never  can  find  them  again." 

207.  hierococcyx  sparverioides. 

217.  Centropus  rufipennis. 

I  have  seen  one  or  two  occasionally  in  the  Ravi  valley  in 
the  summer. 

220.  Taccocua  sirkee. 

For  two  years  I  have  found  a  pair  of  Sirkees  in  June 
close  to  the  town  of  Chamba  in  scrub-jungle,  evidently 
breeding. 

225.    ^THOPYGA   MILES. 

Arrives  in  Chamba  in  April,  and  breeds  in  suitable  loca- 
lities down  the  valley  of  the  Ravi.  Two  pairs  always  spend 
the  summer  in  my  garden. 

234.  Arachnechthra  asiatica. 

A  few  stragglers  occasionally  come  up  from  the  plains.  I 
was  surprised  to  find  a  pair  in  a  valley  in  the  interior  in  May, 
evidently  breeding. 

241.  Myzanthe  ignipectus. 

I  shot  one  in  February  near  the  town  after  a  snow-storm. 
I  have  not  seen  any  record  of  this  species  being  found  so  far 
north-westward  before. 

243.    CeRTHIA  HIMALAYAN  a. 

247.  TicHODROMA  muraria.     "  Suppurotsu.'^ 
Common  all  the  year  round  on  rocks  near  streams. 

248.  SiTTA  HIMALAYENSIS. 
250.    SiTTA  LEUCOPSIS. 

The  only  time  I  ever  saw  this  Nuthatch  was  on  the  2nd 


412    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Charahn. 

of  March,  when  a  pair  came  to  my  Chamba  garden.     They 
were  evidently  passengers  to  the  higher  forests. 

254.  Upupa  epops.     "  Sukdudu.^' 

The  Hoopoe  comes  to  the  town  of  Chamba  for  the  summer, 
A  pair  breed  in  a  stone  wall  by  my  house  every  April, 

256.  Lanius  lahtoea, 

257.  Lanius  erythronotus, 

258.  Lanius  tephronotus. 

260.  Lanius  vittatus. 

The  Shrikes  are  only  found  in  the  Ravi  valley  in  the  sum- 
mer ;  they  breed  near  the  town. 

269.  Volvocivora  melaschistus, 

273,  Pericrocotus  brevirostris,     ''  Masti.'' 

275.  Pericrocotus  roseus, 

278,  buchanga  albirictus, 
A  few  in  the  warm  valleys, 

280,  BucHANGA  LONGicAUDATA,  "  Gunkat," 
Common  about  Dalhousie.  I  found  tw^o  or  three  nests 
there  in  oak  trees  in  my  garden,  placed,  as  usuab  at  the 
extreme  end  of  a  thin  bough  high  up,  fixed  into  a  fork,  the 
hen  invariably  sitting  with  her  tail  along  the  bough,  so  as  to 
conceal  herself. 

288.  TcHiTREA  PARADisi.     "  Puui  piuja," 
A  pair  bred  in  my  garden  at  Chamba  in  the  end  of  April, 
I  have  never  seen  this  species  here  in  the  winter, 

291.  Leucocerca  fuscoventris. 

292.  Leucocerca  albofrontata, 

295.  Cryptolopha  cinereocapilla. 

296.  Hemichelidon  fuliginosus. 

297.  Alseonax  latirostris, 

I  shot  one  of  these  birds  on  the  28th  of  October  near  the 
town  of  Chamba. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  o?i  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    413 

301.    EUMYIAS  MELANOPS. 

Very  common.  In  April  last  a  flock  of  eight  or  ten  came 
into  my  garden  at  Chamba,  evidently  on  their  way  back  from 
the  plains.     It  was  the  first  time  I  had  seen  them  gregarious. 

304.  Cyornis  rubeculoides. 

An  occasional  visitor  in  the  winter. 

310.    MUSCICAPULA  SUPERCILIARIS. 

Fairly  common  in  the  forests.  I  have  found  several  nests 
in  small  holes  in  rotten  branches.  It  never  appears  to  come 
to  Chamba  in  the  winter ;  I  have  searched  in  vain  for  it  for 
four  winters. 

314.    NiLTAVA  SUNDARA. 

I  have  obtained  stray  specimens  near  Chamba  in  the 
winter. 

323  ter.  Erythrosterna  hyperythra. 

333.  Troglodytes  nipalensis. 

343.  Myioph(jneus  temminckii.     "Chonchul." 
The  Yellow-billed  Whistling-Thrush  is  very  common  about 
all  the  streams  on  this  side  of  the  snowy  range. 

347.  CiNCLUs  AsiATicus.     "  Jcl  kukri.'''' 
Very  common.     I  found  a  nest  under  a  bridge  on  the  7th 
of  May  with  young  ones;  elevation  5000  feet. 

351.  Petrocossyphus  CYANUs.     "  Neela  daraisi.^' 

352.  Orececetes  erythrogaster. 

353.  Orececetes  cinclorhynchus. 

355.  Geocichla  citrina. 

356.  Geocichla  unicolor. 

361.  Merula  boulboul.     "  Kustura." 

362.  Merula  albocincta.     ''  Kundoo  Kustura.^' 

I  have  only  met  with  this  species  in  the  winter,  when 
driven  down  by  stress  of  weather  to  the  valley. 

SER.  v. VOL.   II.  2  H 


414    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 
363.  Merula  castanea,     "  Lai  Kustura/' 

361.    TUKDUS  RUFICOLLIS. 

I  have  shot  two  specimens  of  this  rare  Thrush,  after  a 
snow-storm,  in  my  Chamba  garden. 

365.  TuRDUs  ATROGULARis.     "  Darairi/^ 
Common  in  the  Avinter.     Flocks  of  Thrushes  and  Black- 
birds of  all  sorts  come  down  whenever  it  snows  here. 

368.    TuRDUS  VISCIVORUS. 

The  Missel-Thrush  breeds  in  the  Kalatope  forests,  I  have 
never  seen  the  Fieldfare  or  the  Redwing.  I  doubt  their  occur- 
rence in  the  Himalayas. 

370.  Oreocincla  mollissima. 

392,  Stachyris  pyrrhops. 

A  winter  visitor  to  Chamba  after  snow.  In  summer  it  is 
to  be  found  up  the  valleys  in  the  interior  amongst  the  scrub- 
jungle. 

405.  pomatorhinus  erythrogen ys. 

407.  Garrulax  leucolophus. 

411.  Garrulax  albogularis, 

415.  Trochalopteron  erythrocephalum.     "  Sahrot.^^ 

416.  Trochalopteron  chrysopterum. 

418.  Trochalopteron  variegatum. 

421.  Trochalopteron  rufogulare. 

425.  Trochalopteron  lineatum.     "  Jerrow.'* 
The    above-named   Laughing-Thrushes    represent  all    the 
species  o£  this  family  to  be  found  within  Chamba  limits. 
The  Trochalopterons  come  down  in  the  winter,  but  the  others 
never  seem  to  leave  the  forest  or  low  brushwood- jungles. 

430.     SiBIA  PICAOIDES. 

None  of  the  Malacocer'ci  or  Chatari'hacB  penetrate  up  the 
Chamba  valley  ;  I  have  only  found  them  on  the  outer  slopes 
low  down. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.   415 

444.  Hypsipetes  psaroides.     "  Durkal/^ 

The  commonest  bird  (excepting  the  Myna)  in  Chamba 
during  the  winter.  A  flock  of  over  100  are  always  about  the 
trees  in  my  garden.  They  breed  in  the  bushes  at  about  2000 
feet  above  Chamba. 

458.  Otocompsa  leucogenys.     "  Painju." 
Common  all  the  year  round. 

461.  Pycnonotus  PYG.EUs.     ^' Kala  painju." 

470.  Oriolus  kundoo.     "  Umhal.'^ 

Arrives  in  the  valley  in  the  spring  and  leaves  in  October. 
Breeds  near  the  town  of  Chamba. 

475.  CopsYCHUs  sAULARis.     '^  Dhccmdu." 

481.  Pratincola  caprata. 

Breeds  in  the  Chamba  valley  in  May. 

483.  Pratincola  indica. 

486.  Pratincola  ferrea. 

489.  Saxicola  picata. 

An  occasional  winter  visitor. 

497.    RUTICILLA  RUFIVENTRIS. 

499.   RUTICILLA  erythrogastra, 

I  shot  two  specimens  o£  this  rare  Redstart  one  winter 
near  the  town ;  one  was  among  the  boulders  on  the  river, 
flitting  about  exactly  like  a  Chimarrhornis,  for  which  I  mis- 
took it  until  I  saw  the  white  wing-patch, 

503.  RUTICILLA  FRONTALIS. 

504.  RUTICILLA  c^ruleocephala. 

505.  ruticilla  fuliginosa. 

506.  Chimarrhornis  leucocephala. 

The  two  last-named  species  are  common  about  every  stream. 

507.  Larvivora  superciliaris. 

508.  Nemura  cyanura. 

2h  2 


416    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 

511.  Tarsigek  chrys^us. 

This  isj  I  think,  a  new  locality  for  the  Golden  Bush-Chat. 
I  can  find  no  record  of  its  having  been  found  previously  in 
the  N.W.  Himalayas.  I  shot  two  specimens  about  a  mile 
from  the  town  in  the  de])th  of  winter. 

513.  Calliope  pectoralis. 

515.  acrocephalus  brunnescens. 

517.  acrocephalus  agricola. 

527.  horornis  pallidus. 

530.  Orthotomus  LONGiCAUDA.     "  Soia.^' 

The  Tailor-birds  build  in  my  garden  at  Chamba  every 
summer,  sewing  the  leaves  of  the  loquat-trees  togetlier.  They 
remain  here  all  the  year  round. 

543.  Drymoipus  inornatus. 
In  the  winter  occasionally  seen. 

517.    SUYA  CRINIGERA. 

549.  SuYA  ATROGULARIS. 

550.  burnesia  gracilis. 

551.  Franklinia  buchanani. 
554.  Phylloscopus  tristis. 
560.  Phylloscopus  viridanus. 

563.  Reguloides  occipitalis. 

564.  Reguloides  trochiloides. 

565  bis.  Reguloides  humii. 

566.  Reguloides  proregulus. 

573.  Abrornis  albosuperciliaris. 

Common  all  the  year  round ;  breeds  both  up  at  Dalhousie 
and  in  the  valleys. 

580.  Regulus  cristatus. 

I  met  with  a  flock  of  Firecrests  in  the  Jamwar  forest  in 
March  1882.     They  are  by  no  means  common, 

582.  Sylvia  afeinis. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    417 

584.   Henicurus  maculatus.     '^Naraisi." 

The  Spotted  Forktail  is  common  about  every  stream  in 
Chamba.  In  April  it  commences  breeding,  and  does  not 
seem  particular  as  to  the  elevation  at  which  it  builds.  I 
have  found  a  nest  in  the  root  of  a  fallen  devdat  tree  near 
where  snow  was  lying  in  a  ravine,  about  7000  feet  up,  and 
several  pairs  remain  all  the  summer  in  their  winter-quarters 
between  2000  and  3000  feet  up. 

587.  Henicurus  scouleri. 

The  Little  Forktail  is  fairly  common  in  the  winter.  It 
builds  under  rocks  by  streams  in  the  interior  over  7000  feet 
elevation. 

589.  MOTACILLA  maderaspatana. 

590.  MOTACILLA  personata. 

591.  MOTACILLA  alba. 

592.  MOTACILLA  melanope. 
594.    BUDYTES  CALCARATUS. 

The  Grey  Wagtails  generally  arrive  in  February.  Early 
in  March  numbers  may  be  seen  on  the  green  in  front  of  the 
town,  but  by  the  end  of  the  month  there  is  scarcely  one  left. 
The  Yellow  Wagtails  arrive  later  and  stay  a  very  short  time. 
In  August  I  saw  a  number  of  M.  alba  and  M.  melanope  on  a 
stony  plain  just  by  the  top  ol  the  Sanch  Pass,  14,500  feet. 

596.  Anthus  agilis. 

597.  Anthus  trivialis. 
600.  corydalla  rufula. 

604.  Agrodroma  sordida. 

605.  Anthus  cervinus. 

605  quat.  Anthus  blakistoni. 

606.  Heterura  sylvana. 

623.  ixulus  flavicollis. 

There  is  no  previous  record,  I  believe,  of  an  Ixulus  being 
found  so  far  north-west.  There  were  several  in  my  Chamba 
garden  in  April  1882,  but  they  only  stayed  a  ^QVf  days. 


418    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 

631.    ZOSTEROPS  PALPEBROSUS. 

Common  all  tlie  year  round ;  breeds  in  my  garden. 
63.2.  Sylviparus  modestus. 

633.  Cephalopyrrhus  flammiceps. 

Large  flocks  arrive  about  the  2nd  of  April,  and  are  found 
on  the  plum-  and  peach-trees  feeding  busily  among  the 
blossoms ;  they  disappear  generally  the  following  day, 

634.  iEoiTHALISCUS  erythrocephalus. 
638.    LOPHOPHANES  MELAXOLOPHUS. 

644.  Parus  monticola.     "  Didalu." 

645.  Parus  cinereus. 

647.  Machlolophus  xanthogenys. 

653.  Accentor  altaicus.     "  Phondaisi.'^ 
Comes  down  in  large  flocks  in  the  winter. 

654  bis.  Accentor  jerdoni. 

These  Avere  the  only  two  Accentors  I  shot ;  but  I  saw  in 
Pangi  two  species  which  I  believe  to  have  been  A.  nipa- 
lensis  and  A.  monticola. 

660.  CoRvus  macrorhynchus. 

The  common  Crow  of  the  hills  of  Chamba. 

666.  Nucifraga  hemispila. 

The  shikaries  tell  me  of  a  bird  which  answers  to  the 
description  of  N.  multimaculata  being  seen  frequently  in  the 
pine-forests  in  the  interior,  but  I  have  not  seen  it  myself. 

668.  Pica  rustica. 

Occurs  in  the  highlands  of  Pangi,  the  other  side  of  the 
Chenab  river. 

669.  Garrulus  bispecularis. 

670.  Garrulus  lanceolatus.     "  Banar." 
672.  Urocissa  flavirostris.     '' Chainchul,^^ 
674.  Dendrocitta  RUFA.     "Tindar." 

676.  Dendrocitta  himalayensis.     '^  Kuppru." 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    419 

679.  Fregilus  himalayanus. 

680.  Pyrrhocorax  alpinus. 

681.  Sturnus  vulgaris. 
68.2.  Sturnus  nitens. 

684.  AcRiDOTHERES  TRisTis.     "  Gotari." 
686.  acridotheres  fuscus, 
689.  Temenuchus  pagodarum. 
700.  Passer  domesticus.     '^Tiddi.^' 

708.  Passer  cinnamomeus. 

For  two  seasons  one  of  these  Sparrows  used  to  sit  on  a 
balcony  outside  my  dressing-room  window  at  my  Dalhousie 
house  and  fly  against  the  window-panes,  banging  the  glass  with 
its  beak  and  claws,  goi^ig  on  till  it  was  absolutely  exhausted. 
It  continued  this  game  for  four  or  five  hours  a  day  during 
the  months  of  May  and  June.  Nothing  frightened  it  away 
for  more  than  a  few  minutes.  Towels  were  hung  out  with 
no  effect.  The  window  was  opened  ;  it  went  to  another. 
Even  bird-lime  was  discovered  and  avoided.  It  did  not  mind 
seeing  people  in  the  room.  At  times  the  bird  would  con- 
tinue its  assault  on  the  glass  when  it  had  scarcely  strength  to 
fly  at  the  window.  Its  beak  open,  wings  drooping,  it  j)resented 
a  picture  of  misery  and  mania  !  It  had  a  nest  under  the  eaves 
each  summer.  At  the  end  of  June  in  the  second  year  of  its 
visitation  it  disappeared,  worn  out,  doubtless,  by  the  unusual 
labours  it  had  gone  through. 

710.  Passer  montanus. 

711.  Passer  flavicollis. 
714.  Emberiza  stracheyi. 
718.  Emberiza  stewarti. 

720.  Emberiza  pusilla. 

I  met  with  the  Dwarf  Bunting  only  in  Pangi, 

724.  Melophus  melanictebus. 


420     Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamha. 

725.  Hesperiphona  icTERoiDES.  "Tangaira/^ 
This  Grosbeak  must  be  common  in  the  pine  forests  at  higher 
altitudes,  judging  from  the  numbers  that  come  down  during 
severe  winter  weather  to  Chamba.  It  is  only  after  a  very 
heavy  fall  of  snow  that  they  descend.  One  Avinter  over 
three  hundred  were  shot  in  the  coarse  of  a  week.  Their 
flesh,  which  is  excellent  eating,  is  much  esteemed  by  the 
natives.  I  have  never  succeeded  in  finding  their  nests  here, 
though  I  was  more  fortunate  in  Murrce. 

727.  Mycerobas  melanoxanthus. 

I  secured  three  or  four  specimens  of  the  Spotted -winged 
Grosbeak  one  winter.  They  were  with  the  black  and  yellow 
ones. 

729.  Pyrrhula  erythrocephala. 

I  met  with  a  flock  of  ten  or  twelve  Bullfinches  early  in 
April  up  at  Dalhousie ;  as  I  had  no  gun,  I  failed  to  secure  a 
specimen.  I  watched  them  for  some  time,  and  believe  they 
belonged  to  this  species. 

732.  Pyrrhula  auraxtiaca. 

Rare  in  the  forests  at  6000  or  7000  feet  elevation. 

738.  Carpodacus  erythrinus. 

747.  Pyrrhospiza  punicea. 

When  close  by  the  crest  of  the  Sanch  Pass  at  dawn  on  the 
20th  September  1881  (alas  !  my  gun  had  gone  on  ahead  to 
camp),  I  saw  a  pair  of  these  beautiful  red-breasted  Finches 
feeding  their  fully  fledged  young  on  a  rock  not  far  from  my 
path.  I  had  my  binocular  with  me,  so  was  able  to  watch 
them  closely  for  about  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  when  they 
disappeared  down  a  ravine.  There  was  no  mistaking  the 
species. 

748.  Calacanthis  burtoxi. 

In  the  winter  a  few  come  down  to  Chamba. 

719.  Carduelis  caniceps. 
750.  Chrysomitris  spinoides. 


Ibis.  1884- PI X. 


J.Sinitdolllith. 


LOPHOPHORUS   CHAMBANIJS 


Ilaiiliart  imv. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Ckamba.    421 

751.  Metoponia  pusilla. 

The  gold-headed  Finches  come  here  in  flocks  in  March, 
hut  stay  a  very  short  time. 
753.  Fringilauda  sordida. 
Very  common  all  through  the  winter  in  large  flights. 

767.  Alauda  gulgula. 

778.  Sphenocercus  sPHENURUs.     "  Kokla." 

784.  Palumbus  CAsioTis.     ''Dhanud." 

787.  PALUi\IB(ENA  EVERSMANNI. 

788.  COLUMBA   INTERMEDIA. 

789.  CoLUMBA  RUPESTRIS. 

790.  CoLUMBA  LEUCONOTA.        "  Bujul.'^ 

The  Snow-Pigeons  and  Palumbus  casiotis  come  down 
ahout  Chamba  in  very  large  flocks  in  the  winter.  I  only 
once  got  P.  eversmanni.  Columba  rupestris  I  met  with  in 
the  Pangi  valley  breeding  in  the  precipitous  cliffs  overhang- 
ing the  Chenab.  • 

792.  TuRTUR  RUPicoLA.     "  Coiu." 

795.  TuRTUR  SURATENSIS. 

796.  TuRTUR  RisoRiA.     "  Googi.^^ 

797.  TuRTUR   HU3VirLIS. 

803.  Pavo  CRi STATUS.      ^"Mohv,''    2  ''Bodur.'' 

804.  LOPHOPHOKUS  IMPEYANUS.        "  NilgUP.'^ 

804  ^er.  Lophophorus  chambanus,  sp.  nov.  (Plate  X.) 
Two  years  ago  a  Monal  Pheasant  was  brought  in  to 
me  from  the  Birnota  forest  (in  the  Chamba  State,  N.W. 
Himalaya),  which  I  saw  at  once  was  very  different  from 
L.  impeyunus.  Its  bronzed  lower  back  and  green  breast 
made  it  easily  distinguishable  from  any  other  known  species. 
My  brother,  Major  George  Marshall,  R.E.,  who  was  with  me, 
suggested  that  I  should  describe  it  then ;  but  fearing  that  it 
might  be  a  mere  variety,  I  considered  it  best  to  wait  until 
more  specimens  could  be  procured.  The  following  spring 
Mr.  A.  L.  Seale  (to  whom  I  have  given  a  contract    to  shoot 


422    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba. 

Moual  and  Argus  for  skins  in  Chamba  during  the  season) 
told  me  that  he  had  had  three  specimens  of  what  he  called 
"  the  Black-backed  Monal "  brought  in  to  him  from  the 
same  direction  that  my  bird  came  from.  On  comparison  I 
found  that  they  agreed  exactly  with  mine.  This  being,  I  con- 
sider,  sufficient  proof  that  it  is  a  distinct  species,  I  propose 
for  it  the  name  Lophophorus  chambanus,  after  the  Raja  of 
Chamba,  in  whose  territories  it  was  discovered.  The  dis- 
tinctive marks  that  separate  this  species  from  L.  impeyanus 
are  unmistakable.  There  is  not  a  trace  of  white  on  the  back  ; 
this  colour  is  replaced  by  a  bronzed  purple.  The  breast, 
instead  of  being  black,  is  burnished  green,  the  colour  being 
somewhat  fainter  than  that  on  the  green  feathers  at  the  sides 
of  the  neck. 

The  type  of  this  new  species,  from  which  the  figure 
(Plate  X.)  has  been  taken,  I  sent  to  Mr.  Sclater,  who  has 
kindly  deposited  it  in  the  British  Museum. 

806.  Ceriornis  melanocephala.  "  Fulgun.'^ 
The  Horned  Pheasant  is  plentiful  in  suitable  localities 
throughout  Chamba;  a  few  are  to  be  found  in  Pangi,  the 
other  side  of  the  snowy  range.  They  are  the  most  delicate 
of  all  the  Pheasants  in  confinement.  The  food  on  which 
they  thrive  best  is  chopped  lettuce  and  turnips  with  wheat. 
Mr.  Scale  has  succeeded  in  taking  a  large  number  in  good 
.  health  to  Calcutta  for  INIr.  Jamrach ;  but  very  few,  I  believe, 
reach  England  alive.  When  I  first  came  to  Chamba  I  found 
that  these  Pheasants  and  the  Momil  were  being  gradually 
exterminated  by  being  snared  and  shot  in  the  breeding- 
season.  All  snaring  has  now  been  stopped,  and  .€300  is  paid 
annually  for  the  right -to  shoot  cock  birds  from  November 
till  March.  About  1200  skins  are  collected  each  season. 
The  birds  are  rapidly  increasing  in  numbers. 

808.  PucRAsiA  MACROLOPHA.     "  Kukrola.^^ 

The  Koklass  is  not  common  in  any  part  of  Chamba.  Its 
solitary  habits  and  predilection  for  thick  forests  make  it 
difficult  to  turn  out  except  with  dogs.  It  bears  confine- 
ment well. 


Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba.    423 

809.  Phasianus  wallichii.     "  Chaman." 

Fairly  abundant  on  tlie  grassy  hills  away  from  forests. 

810,  Euplocamus  albockistatus.     "  Kolsa." 

Very   common  throughout  Chamba  on   this   side  of   the 

snows.     Very  difficult  to  tame. 

812.  Gallus  FERRUGiNEUS.     "  Buu  kookur.^^ 

Only  in  the  low  hills  near  where  the  Ravi  flows  out  into 

the  plains. 

816.  Tetraogallus  himalayensis.     "  Galound." 

The  "  Galound  "  is,  next  to  the  hen  Monal,  considered  the 
best  of  the  Pheasants  for  eating  by  the  Chambials.  It  is, 
however,  a  rare  treat,  as  the  birds  frequent  the  bare  spurs  up 
by  the  snows,  and  are  therefore  not  easily  shot. 

817.  Lerwa  nivicola.     '^Biju.'^ 

The  Lerwa  is  found  in  packs  all  along  the  first  snowy 
range ;  but  I  am  told  that  it  does  not  occur  on  the  ranges 
beyond  Pangi. 

818.  Francolinus  vulgaris.     "  Kala  titur." 

There  are  a  good  many  in  the  Chamba  valley,  but  the 
natives  say  that  they  were  originally  imported  from  the 
plains. 

820.  Caccabis  CHUKOR.     "^Chukru.'-' 

The  Chukor  abounds  all  over  Chamba,  extending  beyond 
the  snows  into  Pangi. 

824.  Arboricola  torqueola.    "  Roli,"  or  "  Ram  chukru.^^ 

This  is  the  only  one  of  the  Wood-Partridges  that  occurs 
in  Chamba ;  it  frequents  the  forests  where  the  Argus  and 
Koklass  are  found. 

829.  CoTURNix  COMMUNIS.     "  Butair.^^ 

The  Grey  Quail  only  occurs  during  passage,  staying  for 
from  fifteen  days  to  a  month  in  April. 

TuRNix,  sp.  inc. 

One  of  the  Button- Quails  occurs  down  the  Ravi  valley,  but 
I  have  never  been  able  to  secure  a  specimen. 

851.  Vanellus  cristatus. 
An  occasional  winter  visitor. 


424.    Major  C.  H.  T.  Marshall  on  the  Birds  of  Chambu. 

855.     LOBIVANELLUS  GOENSIS. 

A  pair  of  these  birds  (so  common  in  the  plains)  breed  every 
April  among  the  reeds  bordering  the  little  lake  in  a  glade  of 
the  Kajiar  deodar  forest,  elevation  6900  feet. 

867.  ScoLOPAX  RusTicuLA.     "  Chinjarole." 

The  Woodcock  breeds  in  thickets  at  10,000  and  11,000 
feet  elevation,  and  comes  down  to  the  Ravi  valley  when  driven 
by  snow.  It  takes  a  heavy  fall  to  bring  in  "  Chinjarole," 
and  he  stays  as  short  a  time  as  possible.  There  are  certain 
places  about  the  town  where  Woodcock  may  be  found  for  a 
certainty  after  a  snow-storm,  one  being  among  the  planta- 
tion trees  in  my  vegetable  garden.  Last  February  we  shot 
sixty-six  in  and  near  Chamba.  This  winter,  which  has  been 
a  mild  one,  a  dozen  have  not  been  found.  Though  I  offered 
a  reward  for  the  eggs,  I  have  not  succeeded  in  getting  any. 
But  the  Woodcock  has  been  frequently  seen  in  the  breeding- 
season  by  sportsmen  in  the  highlands  of  Chamba. 

868.  Gallinago  nemoricola. 

869.  Gallinago  solitahia. 

Both  of  these  Snipes  must  breed  on  this  side  of  the  snowy 
range,  as  they  have  been  met  with  and  shot  in  the  breeding- 
season  in  the  interior  at  high  elevations.  They  never  come 
to  the  Ravi  valley,  like  the  Woodcock  does,  though  they 
have  been  frequently  shot  during  snow  just  below  Dalhousie 
at  5000  feet,  the  Solitary  being  the  commoner  of  the  two. 

871.  Gallinago  scolopacina. 

891.  actitis  glareola. 

893.  actitis  hypoleucos. 

894.  totanus  glottis, 

901.  Hydrophasianus  chirurgus. 

Two  specimens  of  this  Jacana  have  been  shot  in  different 
■  years  in  the  highlands  of  Pangi^  the  other  side  of  the  snows, 
in  the  summer  time. 

903.    FULICA  ATRA. 


Mr.  H.  Seebohm  on  Birds  from  Lankoran.  425 

905.  Gallinula  chloropus. 

923.    ArDEA  CINEREA. 

936.  botaurus  stellaris. 

957.  Spatula  clypeata. 

958.  Anas  boscas. 

961.  Chaulelasmus  streperus. 

962.  MaRECA   PENELOPE. 
964.    QUERQUEDULA  CRECCA. 
969.    FULIGULA  NYROCA. 

The  Ducks  are  only  passengers  through  in  the  autumn  and 
spring.  There  is  a  marsh  about  a  mile  from  the  town,  where 
they  frequently  take  twenty-four  hours'  rest  on  their  way 
to  the  plains.  They  never  stay  longer  by  any  chance.  On 
their  return  journey  very  few  rest  here. 

975.  podiceps  minor. 

984.   Hydrochelidon  indica. 

986.  Sterna  hirundo. 

1005.  Graculus  carbo.     "  Jel  Kawar.'' 

1007.  Graculus  javanicus. 

XLII. — Notes  on  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Lankoran. 
By  Henry  Seebohm. 
An  opportunity  of  examining  a  collection  of  600  skins  of 
birds  from  the  vicinity  of  Lankoran,  on  the  southern  shores 
of  the  Caspian,  enables  me  to  add  several  species  to  the  list  of 
Persian  birds,  and  to  make  some  corrections  in  geographical 
distribution. 

Aquila  n^via. 

Four  examples  of  the  Spotted  Eagle  belong  to  the  larger 
of  the  two  European  forms,  and  would  be  regarded  as 
A.  clanga  by  those  ornithologists  who  separate  them. 

BUTEO   MENETRIESI. 

Eight  Buzzards  vary  in  length  of  wing  from    16  to    15 


426  Mr.  II.  Seebohm  on  a 

inches.  The  smaller  birds  (probably  males)  have  no  bars  on 
the  basal  three  fourths  of  the  tail^  and  are  very  chestnut  in 
colour.  The  larger  birds  (probably  females)  have  the  tail 
regularly  barred,  and  are  dark  brown  in  colour,  more  or  less 
suffused  with  chestnut  on  the  head,  wing-  and  tail-coverts, 
and  the  underparts.  I  think  these  birds  must  be  regarded 
as  rather  large  examples  of  B.  desertorum. 

Erithacus  golzi. 

Seven  specimens  of  Nightingales  belong  to  the  long-tailed 
species  known  as  the  Persian  Nightingale. 

PrATINCOLA  MAURA. 

Three  male  Stonechats  belong  to  the  eastern  form  of  this 
bird,  having  unspotted  white  rumps. 

ACROCEPHALUS  TURDOIDES. 

A  series  of  fifteen  Great  Reed-Warblers  satisfactorily  dis- 
poses of  the  doubts  which  have  hitherto  been  felt  as  to  the 
correctness  of  the  identificafcion  of  this  species  by  Meuetries. 
Its  breeding-range  must  therefore  be  regarded  as  extending 
into  North  Persia  and  West  Turkestan.  In  Severtzow^s  col- 
lection I  found  examples  of  this  species,  as  well  as  of  A. 
stentoreus,  the  species  which  Blanford  found  in  South  Persia. 
The  Lankoran  skins  vary  in  length  of  wing  from  3-9  to  3*6 
inches,  and  have  the  second  primary  equal  to  the  third  or 
fourth. 

ACROCEPHALUS  ARUNDINACEUS  (BrisS.). 
AcROCEPHALUS  PALUSTRIS. 

Of  a  series  of  sixteen  small  Reed-Warblers,  one  only 
proves  to  be  the  Reed-Warbler,  all  the  others  being  Marsh- 
Warblers. 

Hypolais  pallida-rama. 

Three  examples  of  Tree-Warblers  are,  like  most  of  those 
collected  in  Persia  by  Blanford,  intermediate  between  H. 
pallida  and  H.  rama. 

Hypolais  icterina. 

An  example  of  the  Icterine  Tree-Warbler  adds  a  new 
species  to  the  list  of  Persian  birds. 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Lankoran.  427 

Sylvia  nisoria. 

Sylvia  atricapilla. 

Four  male  Blackcaps  and  one  female  are  interesting  as 
confirming  the  identification  of  Menetries.  East  Persia 
appears  to  be  the  eastern  limit  of  the  range  of  this  species  ; 
but  the  Barred  Warbler  is  found  throughout  Russian 
Turkestan. 

Sylvia  fuscipilea. 

Curruca  cinerea,  var.  joersica,  Filippi^  Viagg.  Pers.  pp.  162, 
348  (1865). 

Sylvia  cinerea,  ^.fuscipilea,  Severtzow,  Journ.  Orn.  1875, 
p.  176. 

An  example  of  the  eastern  form  of  the  Whitethroat  is  in- 
teresting. It  seems  to  me  to  be  fairly  entitled  to  subspecific 
rank.  It  is  slightly  larger  than  our  bird  (wing  3  inches) ; 
the  general  colour  of  the  upper  parts  is  darker  and  greyer, 
especially  on  the  head  and  neck,  and  the  chestnut  on  the 
wing-coverts  is  much  duller.  I  have  three  examples,  obtained 
by  Tancre's  collectors  in  the  Altai  Mountains;  Prjevalski 
obtained  it  in  the  Eastern  Thian-Shan  range,  Severtzow 
found  it  in  Turkestan,  and  various  collectors  have  obtained 
it  in  Persia.  In  the  two  latter  countries  our  bird  also 
appears. 

Sylvia  curruca. 

An  example  of  the  Lesser  Whitethroat  belongs  to  the 
western  and  not  to  the  eastern  form.  The  second  primary 
is  intermediate  in  length  between  the  fifth  and  sixth. 

Sylvia  mystacea. 

Three  males  and  a  female  of  Bowman^s  Warbler  are  very 
interesting,  being  in  full  breeding-plumage.  Neither  Blan- 
ford-'s  plate  of  Sylvia  rubescens  {'  Eastern  Persia,^  ii.  pi.  xii.) 
nor  Dresser^s  plate  of  Sylvia  momus  {'  Birds  of  Europe,^  ii. 
pi.  Ixiii.)  do  justice  to  this  beautiful  bird,  which  has  the 
black  head  of  »S^.  melunocephala,  and  the  vinous  red  breast 
and  throat  of  S.  subalpina. 


428  Mr.  H.  Seebohra  un  a 

Phylloscopus  trochilus. 

Phylloscopus  rufus. 

Five  examples  of  the  former  and  three  of  the  latter  sjjecies 
are  interesting,  confirming  the  correctness  of  Blanford's  iden- 
tifications, and  showing  tliat  both  the  Willow-Wren  and  the 
Chiffchaff  occur  in  North  Persia. 

Parus  pendulinus. 

A  skin  of  the  Penduline  Tit  does  not  differ  from  European 
examples. 

Parus  lugubris. 

A  skin  of  the  Sombre  Tit  agrees  with  examples  from 
Greece  and  Asia  Minor,  and  does  not  show  the  tendency  to 
be  greyer  above  and  whiter  below  which  Blanford  found  in 
examples  from  South  Persia, 

EmBERIZA  CIA. 

An  example  of  the  Meadow-Bunting  is  intermediate  between 
the  eastern  and  western  forms,  and  might  almost  be  I'egarded 
as  E.  stracheyi,  but  being  in  the  abraded  plumage  of  late 
summer  is  difficult  to  determine. 

MOTACILLA   MELANOCEPHALA. 
MoTACILLA  FLAVA. 
MOTACILLA  RAYI. 

Six  males  and  two  females  of  this  Yellow  Wagtail  are  very 
interesting  examples,  showing  that  there  is  no  difference  to 
be  found  in  the  {)lumage  of  specimens  from  the  eastern 
colony  in  the  basin  of  the  Caspian,  and  tliose  from  the  western 
colony  on  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  cases  of  a  discontinuous  area  of  distribution  with 
which  I  am  acquainted.  Amongst  the  examples  of  M.  mela- 
nocepliala  is  one  with  a  brilliant  yellow  eye-stripe — a  very 
curious  variety,  if  it  is  not  a  hybrid  between  M.  rayi  and 
M.  melanocephala. 

A.LCED0   ISPIDA. 

Two  skins  of  Kingfishers  are  intermediate  between  the 
Avesterii  and  eastern  forms  of  this  species  (wing  2'8  inches), 
and  might  be  regarded  as  large  examples  of  A.  bengalensis. 


Collection  of  Birds  from  Lanhoran.  429 

These  intermediate  forms  have  been  called  A.  pallasii. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  three  forms  are  merely 
local  races  of  one  species. 

ArDEA   com  ATA. 

Nine  Squacco  Herons  add  a  species  to  the  list  of  Persian 
birds  enumerated  by  Blanford,  and  confirm  the  statements  of 
Pallas  that  this  species  is  found  on  the  Caspian.  There  can 
be  little  doubt  that  this  was  the  species  seen  by  Filippi  in 
countless  numbers^  and  not  the  Buff-backed  Heron,  as  he 
supposed.  So  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  the  latter  bird  [A.  bubul- 
cus)  is  only  a  very  rare  and  accidental  straggler  beyond  Africa, 
Spain,  and  PalestinCo 

PORPHYRIO  POLIOCEPKALUS. 

Ten  examples  of  the  Indian  Purple  Gallinule,  with  green 
wings  and  blue-green  throat  and  breast,  contrasting  witli  the 
purple  of  the  rest  of  the  plumage,  are  very  interesting.  It 
seems  probable  that  P,  ccsruleus  is  confined  to  South  Europe 
and  North  Africa  west  of  the  Adriatic,  being  replaced  in 
North-east  Africa  by  P.  smaragdonotus,  with  purple  wings 
and  a  green  back,  and  in  Asia  by  P.poliocephalus,  but  being 
unrepresented  in  East  Europe^, 

Charadrius  asiaticus. 

Two  examples  confirm  the  correctness  of  the  locality  given 
by  Pallas  for  the  Caspian  Plover. 

TOTANUS  FUSCUS. 

An  example  of  the  Spotted  Eedshank  confirms  the  state- 
ment of  Pallas  that  this  species  winters  on  the  southern 
shores  of  the  Caspian. 

Cygnus  olor. 

One  example  of  the  Mute  Swan  adds  a  species  to  the  list 
of  Persian  birds. 

Erismatura  leucocephala. 

Thirty-six  examples  of  the  White-headed  Duck  entitles 
this  species  to  be  added  to  the  Persian  list. 

*  See  remarks  ou  tliis  subject  by  Mr.  Sclater,  'Ibis/  1879,  p.  19(3. 
SER.  V. VOL.   II.  2  I 


430  Mr.  H.  SeeboLm  on  Tetrao  grisciventris. 

XLIII. — On  Tetrao  griseiventris,  a  recently  described  Species 
of  Hazel-Grouse  from  North-east  Russia.  By  Henry 
Seebohm. 

(Plate  XI.) 

The  Grouse  form  a  compact  little  genus,  confined  to  the 
Palajarctic  and  Ncarctic  Regions,  and  containing  about  a 
score  of  well-defined  species,  some  of  which  are  again  divi- 
sible into  climatic  races  or  subspecies.  Modern  ornitho- 
logists, sufi"ering  from  the  epidemic  which  has  been  called 
the  ''  furor  genericus  '•"  and  the  "  cacoethes  dividendi,^'  have 
established  no  less  than  twelve  genera  for  the  reception  of 
these  twenty  or  twenty-four  species,  to  the  no  small  incon- 
venience of  ornithologists  whose  powers  of  memory  are  not 
unlimited.  As  might  be  expected,  the  characters  upon  which 
these  so-called  genera  are  founded  are  not  very  reliable — so 
little,  indeed,  that  the  Willow-Grouse  belongs  to  the  genus 
Tetrao  in  summer,  but  assumes  the  characters  of  the  so- 
called  genus  Lagopus  in  winter. 

The  Hazel-Grouse  (Jfe/rao  bonasia)  has  a  very  wide  range, 
extending  from  the  Pyrenees  to  Japan,  and  presents  an 
interesting  example  of  a  species  which  has  a  Siberian  or 
Arctic  form.  Tetrao  bonasia  septentrionalis  is  a  very  grey 
bird,  with  very  little  rufous  in  its  plumage,  and  has  a  shorter 
tail  than  the  typical  form,  towards  which  it  gradually  inter- 
grades,  as  so  many  other  Arctic  forms  do,  both  in  the  east 
and  in  the  west.  The  typical  or  subarctic  form  is  found 
in  the  Pyrenees,  the  Alps,  and  the  Carpathians,  and  again 
in  the  valley  of  the  Amoor  and  on  the  main  island  of  Japan. 

It  is  not  kuowu  that  any  form  of  Hazel-Grouse  inhabits 
the  Caucasus ;  but  north-east  of  that  range,  near  the  sources 
of  the  Petchora  and  the  Kama,  a  nearly  allied,  but  apparently 
perfectly  distinct,  species  occurs,  Tetrao  griseiventris .  From 
twenty  to  thirty  examples  of  this  new  European  bird  have 
been  obtained ;  so  that  all  idea  of  its  being  an  accidental 
variety  must  be  abandoned.  It  was  first  described  by  the 
well-known  Moscow  ornithologist,  Mons.  M.  A.  Menzbier,  in 
1880  (Bull.  Soc.  Imp.  Nat.  Mosc.  i.  p.  105),  and  differs  from 


CO 


On  Bb^d- skins  from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela.  431 

the  Common  Hazel-Grouse  in  many  very  important  cha- 
racters. Whilst  in  the  Common  Hazel-Grouse  the  male 
differs  widely  from  the  female,  the  former  having  a  black 
chin  and  throat,  and  the  latter  a  buffish-white  chin  and 
throat  obscurely  spotted  with  black,  in  Menzbier's  Hazel- 
Grouse  both  sexes  have  the  chin  and  upper  throat  pure 
white.  As  will  be  seen  by  the  Plate,  the  general  colour  of 
Menzbier's  Hazel-Grouse  is  much  darker  and  greyer,  espe- 
cially on  the  underparts,  the  pattern  of  colour  in  which  is 
different  from  that  of  the  common  bird.  The  wliite  tips  of 
the  wing-coverts  and  the  subterminal  black  band  across  the 
outer  tail-feathers,  so  conspicuous  in  the  Common  Hazel- 
Grouse,  are  absent  in  Menzbier's  Hazel-Grouse. 

The  discovery  of  this  addition  to  the  birds  of  Europe  is 
all  the  more  interesting  on  account  of  the  other  European 
species,  which  are  confined  to  the  extreme  east  of  the  con- 
tinent, such  as  Ricticilla  ochrura,  Erithacus  hyrcmms,  Tetrao 
mlokosiewiczi,  &c.,  leading  to  the  supposition  that  this  part 
of  Europe  must  have  been  isolated  for  some  time,  at  no  very 
distant  period,  geologically  speaking. 


XLIV. —  On  a  Collection  of  Bird-skins  from  the  Orinoco, 
Venezuela.     By  Hans  von  Berlepsch. 

(Plate  XII.) 

The  vast  plains  of  the  Orinoco,  in  Venezuela,  still  remaiu 
a  "  terra  incognita  "  to  ornithologists — at  least  no  account 
of  the  birds  of  this  country  has  yet  been  published. 

It  was  therefore  with  considerable  interest  that  I  heard 
of  a  collection  of  bird-skins  made  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Angostura  (or  Ciudad  Bolivar)  by  a  young  man  sent  out  by 
the  well-known  dealer  in  natural  objects,  Mr.  F.  F.  G.  Um- 
lauff,  of  Hamburg.  The  whole  collection  has  been  submitted 
to  my  inspection  and,  although  small,  proves  to  be  of  consider- 
able interest.  There  is  evidently  one  new  species  contained 
in  it_,  and  others  were  not  previously  known  to  be  denizens  of 

2i  2 


432  Hans  von  Berlcpscli  on  Bird-skins 

Venezuela.  I  have  therefore  thought  it  Avell  to  give  an 
account  o£  all  the  species  found  in  the  collection. 

Umlauffs  collector  has  just  returned  home,  bringing  with 
him  a  few  more  skins  collected  on  the  Rio  Apnre,  a  tributary 
stream  of  the  Orinoco.  The  birds  collected  on  the  Apurc 
mostly  belong  to  widespread  species  of  Ardeidse,  &c.  ;  they 
are  likewise  inserted  in  the  following  list. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  examples  of  so  few  species 
are  in  the  collection,  especially  of  birds  of  small  size,  among 
which  probably  still  many  novelties  remain  undiscovered  in 
the  Orinoco  plains  ;  bat  I  am  glad  to  say  Mr.  Umlauff  in- 
tends to  send  out  another  collector,  who  we  may  hope  will 
be  more  successful. 

1.  Campylorhynchus  nuchalis,  Cab. 

Angostura.  One  specimen  agreeing  with  my  specimens 
from  Puerto  Cabello,  but  with  a  somewhat  shorter  bill,  and 
the  back  more  conspicuously  striped.  There  is  only  one  broad 
white  stripe  on  each  feather  of  the  back,  beginning  deep  from 
the  base,  while  in  Puerto- Cabello  specimens  there  are  two, 
one  basal,  the  other  terminal,  both  pear-shaped  and  separated 
in  the  middle.  I  believe  that  this  difference  is  only  an  indi- 
vidual one,  and  that  the  Angostura  bird  may  not  be  fully 
adult. 

Long.  al.  73,  caud.  72|,  culm.  17,  tars.  22|  millim. 

2.  Anthus  rufus  (Gmel.). 

Angostura.  One  specimen,  in  much  faded  plumage,  seems 
to  agree  with  Bahia  skins,  with  the  exception  that  there  is  no 
yellowish  suffusion  on  the  abdomen.  The  outer  tail-feather 
is  nearly  wholly  white. 

Long.  al.  65,  caud.  49,  rostr.  culm.  IH,  tars.  19i  millim. 

This  species  has  not  hitherto  been  recorded  from  Venezuela. 

3.  Certhiola  luteola,  Licht.  &  Cab. 

Angostura.  One  specimen,  agreeing  with  birds  from 
Puerto  Cabello. 

Long.  al.  59,  caud.  36,  culm.  12^,  tars.  16  millim. 


Ibis.  1884. Pl.M 


^'^-=^ 


J.  G.Eeulemecns  lilJn.. 


Hsuntarb  imp  . 


CNIPOLE&US    ORENOCENSIS. 


from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela.  433 

4.  Sycalis  COLUMBIANA,  Cab.  ? 

Mus.  Hein.  i.  p.  147  (Puerto  Cabello). 

Angostura.  A  female.  Not  having  yet  seen  this  small 
bird  from  the  Orinoco,  I  am  not  quite  sure  about  tlie  cor- 
rectness of  this  determination,  although  my  bird  agrees 
tolerably  well  with  the  description  given  by  Prof.  C/abanis  of 
the  female  of  his  S.  colmnbiana. 

The  Angostura  bird  is  very  different  from  the  female  of 
S.  flaveoJa,  not  only  in  its  exceedingly  small  size  but  also  in, 
coloration.  The  upper  parts  are  of  a  uniform  greyish  olive, 
with  quite  indistinct  darker  basal  marks  on  the  feathers. 
Top  of  head  and  sides  of  head  still  more  suffused  with  greyish. 
Underparts  brownish  white,  throat  and  middle  of  abdomen 
purer  white,  breast  and  sides  of  belly  marked  with  indistinct 
narrow  shaft-stripes  of  dark  brown.  Under  tail-  and  wing- 
coverts  pale  yellowish  white,  the  inner  webs  of  the  wing- 
feathers  similarly  edged.  Wing-  and  tail-feathers  externally 
edged  with  olive-yellow.  Upper  mandible  dark  brown,  the 
lower  beneath  and  feet  yellowish. 

Long.  tot.  112,  al.  60,  caud.  44,  culm.  10|,  tars.  15  millim. 

5.  Cassicus  persicus  (Linn.). 
Angostura  and  Rio  Apure. 

$  ad.  Angostura  :  al.  158^,  caud.  104|,  culm.  35|,  tars.  301 
millim. 

$  ad.  Apure :  al.  149,  caud.  102,  culm.  32j,  tars.  30;^ 
millim. 

6.  Cyanocokax  vioLACEUs  (DuBus). 

Angostura.  One  specimen  not  quite  adult  and  smaller  in 
size  than  my  birds  from  Eastern  Ecuador,  but  hardly  differ- 
ing in  colours. 

Long.  al.  176,  caud.  160,  culm.  35,  tars.  46|  millim. 

A  species  not  yet  recorded  from  Venezuela. 

7.  Cnipolegus  orenocensis,  sp.  nov.     (Plate  XII.) 

C.  pileo  cum  capitis  lateribus  nigris,  nitore  nonnullo,  corpore 
reliquo  supra  subtusque  obscure  ardesiaco,  olivascenti 
lavato ;  alis  caudaque  cum  tectricibus  caudae  superiori- 
bus  nigrcscentibus,  unicoloribus ;  remigibus  eorumque 


434  Hans  von  Berlepsch  on  Bird-skins 

tectricibiis  superioribus  extus  olivaceo-griseo  inconspicue 
margiuatis ;    rostro    cyanescenti-plumbeo^   apice  nigro, 
tomiis  pallidioribus,   pedibus  nigris.      Long.  tot.   162, 
al.  78j  caud.  73,  culm.  15|,  tai^s.  20  millim. 
Hab.  Angostura.     One  specimen. 

Obs.  C.  nnicolori  (Kaup),*ex  Amazonia,  ut  videtur,  remigi- 
bus  concoloribus  nee  angustatis  raaxime  affinis,  sed  multo 
major  et  corpore  olivaceo-ardesiaco  (nee  nigro)  di versus. 

I  have  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  of  comparing  my  specimen 
with  C.  imicolor  from  Amazonia,  but  Mr.  Sclater,  after  ex- 
amination of  the  Angostura  bird,  assures  me  that  it  is  quite 
distinct  and  belongs  to  an  undescribed  species.  No  species 
of  Cnipolegus  is  yet  known  to  extend  its  range  so  far  north  as 
C.  orenocensis. 

8.  Myiozetetes  texensis  columbianus  (Cab.  &  Heine). 
Angostura.    One  specimen  in  faded  plumage  (long.  al.  84^, 

caud.  68^,  culm.  14,  tars.  17^  millim.),  agreeing  with  a  bird 
in  my  collection  from  Western  Venezuela  (coll.  Goering), 
the  latter  being  in  fresh  plumage. 

Birds  from  Venezuela  (named  "  texensis ''  by  Mr.  Sclater 
and  others)  differ  constantly  in  many  particulars  as  compared 
with  specimens  from  Central  America.  The  diagnosis  of 
Messrs.  Cabanis  and  Heine  (Mus.  Hein.  ii.  p.  62,  descr.  de 
Puerto  Cabello  and  Cartagena)  does  not  fit  it  very  well.  I 
therefore  propose  to  distinguish  the  Venezuelan  bird  as 
follows  : — '^  M.  t.  columbianus  ex  Venezuela  a  M.  texensi  ex 
Am.  centr.  alis  caudaque  brevioribus,  fronte  brunnescenti- 
cinereo  (nee  albescente),  pilei  lateribvis  obscurioribus,  dorso 
obscurius  olivaceo,  et  gula  magis  flavo  tincta  distiuguendus.'^ 

9.  PiTANGUS  DERBYANUS  RUFIPENNIS,  Lafr. 

Angostura.     One  specimen. 

Long.  al.  Ill,  caud.  86^,  culm.  29|,  tars.  24  millim,; 
agreeing  with  a  specimen  from  Puerto  Cabello  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B. 

In  this  race  of  P.  derby  aims  the  rufous  on  the  tail-  and  wing- 
feathers  is  of  still  greater  extent  than  in  typical  birds  from 
Mexico,  the  outer  tail-feathers  being  nearly  wholly  rufous. 
In  addition  to  this  character  the  front  is  darker,  more  mixed 


from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela.  435 

with  greyish^  tlie  back  more  suffused  with  rusty,  the  abdomen 
paler  sulphur-yellow,  and  the  bill  shorter. 

10.  MiLVULUS  TYRANNUs  (Linn.). 
Angostura.     An  old  male. 
Long,  al.  102^,  caud.  265,  culm.  16|,  tars.  16|  millim. 

IL  Ceryle  torquata  (Linn,). 

Rio  Apure.     Two  males,  one  female. 

S  S.  Long.  al.  19i,  caud.  1181-1231,  culm.  76-81,  tars. 
13^-14  millim. 

?  .  Long.  al.  202,  caud.  127^,  culm.  81,  tars.  15  millim. 

These  specimens  agree  in  every  respect  with  a  series  of 
birds  from  Central  America  (Honduras)  and  Southern  Brazil 
(Rio  Grande  do  Sul)  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B. 

12.  Bucco  BiciNCTUS  (Gould). 

Angostura.  Three  specimens,  agreeing  with  individuals 
from  Puerto  Cabello,  perhaps  of  somewhat  larger  size. 

Long.  al.  881-90,  caud.  8II-86I,  culm.  331-341,  tars.  19- 
201  millim. 

13.  Crotophaga  ani,  Linn. 
Angostura.     An  adult. 

Long.  al.  \^2\,  caud.  190,  rostr.  culm.  38,  altitud.  maxill. 
basi  17^,  tars.  39^  millim. 

14.  Piaya  cayana  guianensis  (Cab.  &  Heine). 
Angostura.      One  specimen,  differing  from  the  birds  from 

Puerto  Cabello  in  showing  no  rufous  on  the  under  surface  of 
the  tail,  this  colour  being  always  conspicuous  in  skins  from 
the  latter  locality.  The  former  is  more  like  Bahia  skins, 
although  smaller  in  size.  It  seems  to  agree  best  with  the 
description  of  P.  guianensis,  Cab.  &  Heine,  which  is  also 
said  by  the  describers  to  be  an  inhabitant  of  Venezuela. 
Long.  al.  142^,  caud.  280^  culm.  30,  tars.  37  millim. 

15.  Strix  flammea  pbatincola,  Bonap. 
Rio  Apure.     An  old  bird. 

Long.  al.  320,  caud.  134,  culm,  27^,  tars.  72  millim. 
This  bird  is  of  large  size,  with  rather  powerful  legs,  and 
the  lower  part  of  the  tarsus  is  only  scantily  feathered  just 


436  Hans  von  Berlepsch  on.  Bird-skiiis 

as  in  S.  furcata.  The  tail  is  not  white  as  in  S.  furcata,  but 
barred  with  dusky.  The  plumage  generally  is  dark  and  much 
mixed  with  rufous ;  there  is  only  some  pure  white  on  the 
throat  and  the  middle  of  the  abdomen.  Specimens  from 
Southern  Brazil  are  smaller  in  size  and  have  the  tarsus  more 
feathered. 

It  seems  therefore  that  the  Venezuelan  Barn- Owl  agrees 
best  with  that  from  North  America. 

16.  Scops  brasilianus  (Gmel.). 

Angostura.  An  old  bird,  agreeing  generally  with  Bahia 
skins,  but  somewhat  lighter  above  and  the  stripes  beneath 
narrower. 

Long.  al.  161,  caud.  89,  culm.  16f,  tars.  31  millim. 

17.  Glaucidium  jardinii,  Bonap, 

Angostura.  One  specimen  in  the  brown  phase,  as  de- 
scribed by  Mr.  Sharpe,  but  the  back  with  a  greyish-brown  cast, 
and  the  upper  tail-coverts  rufous-brown  in  strong  contrast. 
The  feathers  of  the  back  are  mottled,  each  feather  with  two 
or  three  mostly  pear-shaped  whitish  spots,  the  spots  near 
the  base  inclining  to  bars  and  more  suffused  with  tawny. 
The  markings  on  the  head  are  mostly  rounded,  sometimes 
linear.  Tail-feathers  black,  with  six  Avhite  bars  (including 
that  on  the  base),  interrupted  in  the  middle. 

Long.  al.  88,  caud.  53,  culm.  12|,  tars.  19  millim. 

18.  ASTURINA  MAGNIROSTRIS    (Gmel.). 

Rio  Apure.     An  old  bird. 

Long.  al.  230,  caud.  152,  culm.  20i,  tars.  Q7  millim. 

19.  Urubitinga  zonura  (Shaw). 
Angostura.     An  old  bird. 

Long.  al.  410,  caud.  240,  culm.  37|,  tars.  125  millim. 
This  species  has  not  hitherto  been  noted  from  Venezuela. 

20.  Antenor  unicinctus  (Temm.). 
Angostura.     An  adult. 

Long.  al.  360,  caud.  235,  culm.  30^,  tars.  90  millim. 
Agrees  with  a  specimen  from  Chili  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B.,  but 
has  the  breast  much  more   mixed  with   fulvous,  the   under 


from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela.  437 

tail-coverts  darker  cream-colour,  the  abdomen  more  banded 
with  white,  and  the  tibia  more  uniform  and  darker  cas- 
taneous. 

This  species  has  not  previously  been  noticed  in  Venezuela. 

21.  Hypotriorchis  femoralis  (Temm.). 
Angostura.     A  young  male  in  bad  plumage. 

22.  Cerchneis  sparverius  isabellinus  (Swains.). 
Angostura.     (^  and  $   ad. 

(J.  Long.  al.  175,  caud.  118,  culm.  13,  tars.  34  millim. 

$  .  Long,  al.  187,  caud.  125,  culm.  15j,  tars.  34  millim. 
The  male  has  the  head  unspotted  dark  grey,  while  the 
female  possesses  a  large  red  spot  on  the  hind  part  of  the 
crown.  The  male  has  only  a  few  black  marks  on  the  flaidcs ; 
the  black  marks  on  the  back  and  scapulars  are  not  fewer 
than  in  an  old  male  from  Guatemala. 

23.  Milvago  chimachima  (Vieill.). 
Angostura.     A  young  bird. 

Long.  al.  275,  caud.  182,  culm.  23^,  tars.  50  millim. 

24.  Poi  YBORus  auduboni,  Cass. 
Angostura.     An  adult  in  faded  plumage. 

Long.  al.  395,  caud.  218,  culm.  38,  tars.  95  millim. 

25.  Cathartes  aura  pernigra  (Sharpe). 
Angostura.     Two  skins,  an  old  and  a  younger  bird. 
Long.  al.  500-508,  caud.  243-255,  culm.  27^-29,  tars.  64 

millim. 

The  shafts  of  the  primaries  are  brown  above,  white  be- 
neath, the  secondaries  margined  with  greyish  white.  These 
birds  agree  generally  with  specimens  from  Santa  Catharina, 
Brazil,  but  are  somewhat  blacker,  have  shorter  wings,  and 
the  colour  of  the  head  seems  to  be  of  a  more  yellowish  red. 
The  base  of  the  bill  between  the  nostrils  and  the  naked  skin 
of  the  front  is  of  a  much  clearer  yellowish  (not  dark)  red. 
But  on  the  whole  I  am  not  quite  satisfied  as  to  the  real  dis- 
tinctness of  C  pernigra,  Sharpe. 

26.  Cathartes  urubitinga,  Pelzeln. 
Angostura.     An  adult. 

Long.  al.  468,  caud.  215,  culm.  27,  tars.  58  millim. 


438  Hans  von  Berlepscli  07i  Bird-skins 

This  is  certainly  qnite  an  old  bird ;  the  naked  head  appears 
of  a  uniform  yellowish  or  orange  colour.  On  the  sides  of  the 
neck  and  the  occiput  small  lobes,  or  caruncles  are  disposed, 
a  peculiarity  which  I  do  not  believe  ever  occurs  in  true 
C.  aura  !  The  shafts  of  the  primaries  are  yellowish  white 
above  and  below. 

This  species  w^as  not  previously  known  to  occur  in  Vene- 
zuela. 

27.  Cathartes  atratus  (Bartr.). 
Angostura.     Four  specimens,  old  and  young. 

Long.  al.  395-420,  caud.  170-180,  culm.  25-28^,  tars. 
75-80  millim. 

The  very  old  bird  has  the  skin  of  the  head,  especially  on 
the  hind  neck,  extremely  corrugated  and  folded  ( j  ust  as  re- 
presented in  d'Orbigny^s  Voy.  Am.  merid.  Ois.  pi.  i.  fig.  1), 
while  the  young  one  has  it  nearly  smooth. 

28.  Ardea  cocoi,  Linn. 
Angostura.     A  young  bird. 

Long.  al.  448,  caud.  180,  culm.  130^,  tars.  185  millim. 
The  dimensions  are  much  smaller  than  those  of  my  birds 
from  Southern  Brazil.    Species  new  to  the  fauna  of  Venezuela. 

29.  Ardea  candidissima,  Gmel. 

Angostura.  One  specimen  lacking  nuptial  feathers  of  the 
neck  and  lower  back. 

Long.  al.  252,  caud.  90,  culm.  85,  tars.  93  millim. 

Base  of  maxilla  yellow ;  legs  and  feet  greenish  brown,  not 
marked  with  yellow. 

A  specimen  from  Guiana  in  Mus.  H.  v.  B.,  in  full  nuptial 
plumage,  differs  in  being  much  smaller  and  in  having  the 
feet  of  a  yellowish  colour.  I  am  not  prepared  to  say 
whether  these  differences  are  sexual  or  otherwise. 

30.  Ardea  sibilatrix,  Temm. 
Bio  Apure.     An  old  bird. 

Long.  al.  312,  caud.  119,  culm.  70^,  tars.  90  millim. 

Agrees  with  specimens  from  Bio  Grande  do  Sul,  Brazil 
(Mus.  H.  v.  B.),  but  is  of  somewhat  larger  dimensions, 
especially  the  bill  is  longer  and  broader  at  base.     The  upper 


from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela.  439 

wing-coverts  are  more  yellowish,  not  so  much,  mixed  with 
brownishj  and  the  black  stripes  on  them  thinner  and  finer. 

Venezuela  is  quite  a  new  locality  for  this  species,  which 
hitherto  was  only  known  from  Brazil  and  Paraguay. 

31.  BuTORiDES  CYANURUs  (Vieill.) . 

Angostura  (one)  and  Rio  Apure  (two)  ad.  and  vix  ad. 

Long.  al.  179-185,  caud.  65-68,  culm.  62-65,  tars.  52-54 
millim. 

Agrees  in  every  respect  with  birds  from  Santa  Catharina  and 
Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  S.  Brazil,  but  perhaps  slightly  larger. 

Prof.  Schlegel  notes  this  species  from  Caracas  (Mus.  d. 
P.-B.). 

32.  TiGRisoMA  BRAsiLiENSE  (Linn.). 
Rio  Apure.     Three  adults,  one  young. 

Long.  ai.  310-338,  caud.  125-136,  culm.  95-110,  tars. 
80-103  millim.  (the  young  of  the  largest  size). 

It  is,  perhaps,  rather  difficult  to  distinguish  young  birds 
of  T.  brasiliense  and  T.  salmoni.  T.  salmoni  seems  to  have 
the  bill  always  shorter,  but  there  is  much  variation  in  this 
respect.  I  am  rather  doubtful  about  the  correct  determina- 
tion of  some  immature  birds  from  Eastern  Ecuador,  a  locality 
where  both  species  occur.  T.  brasiliense  has  not  hitherto  been 
recorded  from  Venezuela. 

33.  Nycticorax  gardeni  (Gmel.). 

Angostura.  An  old  bird,  but  lacking  the  long  white 
nuptial  neck-plumes,  otherwise  agreeing  with  a  specimen 
from  S.  Paulo  (Mus.  H.  v.  B.),  but  with  the  bill  somewhat 
longer  and  broader  at  base. 

A  species  not  previously  noted  from  Venezuela. 

34.  Tantalus  loculator,  Linn. 

Angostura.  An  adult,  generally  agreeing  with  a  specimen 
from  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  S.  Brazil  (Mus.  H.  v.  B.),but  with 
bill  and  wings  shorter. 

Long.  al.  475,  caud.  168,  culm.  207,  tars.  200  millim. 

A  species  not  previously  recorded  from  Venezuela. 


440  On  Bird-skins  from  the  Orinoco,  Venezuela, 

35.  Oktalis  RUFicAUDA,  Jard. 
E/io  Apure.     An  adult  bird. 

Long.  al.  243j  caud,  270^  culm.  30,  tars.  73  millim. 

Agrees  with  a  specimen  from  Puerto  Cabcllo  (Mus.  H.  v.  B.), 
but  is  of  rather  larger  size,  with  much  larger  bill,  and  gener- 
ally lighter  colours,  crissum  lighter  rufous-brown.  I  believe 
the  Puerto-Cabello  bird  is  not  quite  adult. 

36.  Opisthocomus  chistatus  (Lath.). 
Angostura.     An  adult. 

Long.  al.  345,  caud.  322,  culm.  28,  tars,  58  millim. 

Agrees  with  a  specimen  from  Yquitos,  Upper  Amazons, 
but  wings,  tail,  aud  crest  longer. 

So  far  as  I  know,  this  bird  has  not  hitherto  been  recorded 
from  Venezuela. 

37.  Aramides  cayennensis  (Gmel.). 

Angostura.  A  somewhat  small  and  pale-coloured  speci- 
men, but  otherwise  agreeing  with  individuals  from  British 
Guiana  and  Panama. 

Long.  al.  182,  caud.  64,  culm.  47,  tars.  65^  millim. 

38.  Aramus  scolopaceus  (Gmel.). 
Angostura.     One  specimen. 

Long.  al.  315,  caud.  130,  culm.  107,  tars.  115  millim. 

Agrees  with  a  specimen  from  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  S.  Brazil, 
while  an  individual  from  Santa  Catharina  is  of  much  larger 
size  and  paler  in  coloration. 

Species  not  previously  known  from  Venezuela. 

39.  EURYPYGA  HELIAS,  Pall. 

Angostura.     One  specimen. 

Long.  al.  210,  caud.  155,  culm.  54,  tars.  55  millim. 

E.  he'ias  is  also  new  to  the  fauna  of  Venezuela. 

40.  ffiuiCNEMUS  BISTRIATUS    (Wagl.) . 

Angostura.     One  specimen. 

Long.  al.  292,  caud.  117,  culm.  43,  tars.  114  millim. 

41.  Parra  jacana,  Linn. 
Angostura.     Two  ad.,  one  juv. 


Hans  von  Berlepsch  on  a  neiv  Picumnus.  411 

Long.  al.  120-133,  caud.  40-43^,  rostr.  a  rictu  27-33, 
tars.  54  millim. 

These  specimens  agree  with  skins  from  Rio  Grande  do  Sul, 
S.  Brazil;  the  shade  in  the  colour  of  the  back  is  but  slightly 
darker. 

42.  Vanellus  cayennensis  (Gmel.). 
Angostura.     Two  specimens. 

Long.  al.  215-228,  caud.  92-95,  culm.  31^-32,  tars.  81-83 
millim. 

These  birds  differ  from  my  skins  from  S.  Brazil  (Santa 
Catharina  and  Rio  Grande  do  Sul)  in  possessing  shorter 
crest-plumes.  The  bill  is  shorter,  tarsus  longer,  the  back 
more  golden,  uropygium  darker. 

43.  ToTANUs  MELANOLEUcus  (Gmel.). 
Angostura.     Two  specimens. 

Long.  al.  186^-191,  caud.  71-73,  culm.  54-56^,  tars.  62 
millim. 

This  species  has  not  previously  been  recorded  from  Vene- 
zuela. 


XLV. — Description  of  a  new  Species  of  the  Genus  Picumnus 
from  Southern  Brazil.     By  Hans  von  Berlepsch. 

Picumnus  jheringi,  sp.  nov. 

(^ .  Pileo  anteriore  obscure  sanguineo  (plumarum  basibus 
nigris),  ^osteriove  plumis  longis  pendulis  (cristam  occipitis 
longam  formantibus)  nigris,  macalis  apicalibus  albis 
instructis  ;  plumis  nasalibus  sordide  rufescenti-albis 
nigro  variis;  superciliis  nigris,  maculis  apicalibus  albes- 
centibus  prseditis ;  auricularibus  inferioribus  brunneis 
nigro  marginatis,  superioribus  nigro  alboque  striatis  ; 
nucha  cum  colli  lateribus  sordide  albescentibus  brunueo 
variis ;  dorso  obscure  brunneo,  plumis  ad  discum  obscuri- 
oribus,  ad  marginem  pallidioribus;  plumis  mystacalibus  et 
guise  superioris  nigris  ad  apices  late  albo  marginatis  ;  gula 
inferiore  et  jugulo  pallide  rufescentibus,  plumis  macula 
apicali  brunneo- nigra  instructis  ;  corpore  reliquo  palli- 
dius  rufescenti-albo,  maculis  elongatis,  vel  potius  striis, 
nigris  signato;  remigibus  cum  tectricibus  alarum  supe- 
rioribus brunneo-nigi'is,  nisi  in  primariis  3  exterioribus. 


442  Hans  von  Berlepsch  on  a  new  Picumnus.i 

pallide  rufescente  extus  marginatis  ;  rectricibus  (ut  rite) 
nigris,  duabus  mediis  intus   flavo-albisj  duabus  latera- 
libus,  proximis  vix,  flavo-albo  terminatis. 
Long.  tot.  102^  al.  56^^  caud.  35,  culm,  llf  millim. 
Obs.  Sp.  a  speciebus  cognitis,  plumis  occipitis  valde  elon- 
gatis    cristam    pendulam    formantibus,   necnon    dorso    fere 
immaculato  brunneo,  et  abdomine  ochraceo  distincte  nigro 
striato,  primo  visu  distinguenda,  cetera  P.  lepidoto  et  P.  injy- 
mcBO  affinis. 

Habitat  in  Prov.  Rio  Grande  do  Sul,  Brasilia^  merid. 
circum  Taquara  do  Mundo  novo  collegit  Dr.  H.  v.  Jlieriug. 
Specimen  unicum  typ.  in  Mus.  H.  v.  Berlepscli  asservatum. 
The  discovery  of  this  interesting  new  species  we  owe  to 
Dr.  Hermann  von  Jhering,  who  resided  several  years  in 
the  colony  Taquara  do  Mundo  novo,  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  province  of  Rio  Grande  do  Sul.  Through  the 
assiduity  of  this  collector,  I  have  received  a  great  many 
skins  from  this  locality  representing  about  220  species,  and 
among  them  several  of  considerable  rarity,  such  as  Cephalo- 
lepis  loddigesi,  Synallaxis  cinerascens,  S.  ruticilla,  Foi'micivora 
malura,  Dryocopus  galeatus,  and  others. 

Dr.  V.  Jhering  is  about  to  continue  his  researches  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  province,  viz.  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  city  of  Rio  Grande.  Wishing  him  every  success,  I 
am  glad  to  name  this  new  species  after  him,  partly  in 
acknowledgment  of  his  successful  researches,  and  partly  in 
memory  of  our  old  friendship,  dating  from  university  times. 

P.  jheringi,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  diagnosis,  will  hardly 
compare  with  any  other  species  of  Picumnus,  standing 
alone  in  possessing  long,  hanging,  black,  white-tipped  crest- 
feathers  on  the  occiput.  The  species  seems  to  be  somewhat 
rare  about  Taquara,  Dr.  v.  Jhering  having  only  obtained 
one  specimen,  while  he  sent  me  a  good  series  of  another 
species,  viz.  P.  temmincki,  Lafr.,  which  abounds  there. 
Mueuden,  June  1884. 


On  Birds  from  British  Guia7ia.  443 

XLVI. — Notes  on  Birds  from  British  Guiana.     Part  III,* 
By  OsBERT  Salvin  and  F.  DijCane  Godman,  FF.R.S. 

(Plates  XIII.,  XIV.) 

In  tlie  last  number  of  'The  Ibis^  a  letter  from  Mr.  Henry 
Whitely  was  printed,  dated  "  Roraima,  Oct.  15,  1883/^  in 
which  the  writer  gave  a  short  account  of  his  doings  up  to 
that  date  in  the  remote  part  of  British  Guiana  he  was  then 
investigating.  Towards  the  end  of  June  last  Mr.  Whitely 
returned  home,  bringing  with  him  his  collection,  which,  as 
on  previous  occasions,  he  kindly  submitted  to  us  for  ex- 
amination. It  contains  specimens  of  upwards  of  240  species, 
and  includes  all  the  birds  discovered  by  Schomburgk  in  the 
higher  districts  investigated  by  him  during  his  well-known 
expedition,  the  types  of  which  have  hitherto  remained  almost 
unique  in  the  Berlin  Museum.  Now,  owing  to  Mr.  Whitely^s 
enterprise,  we  have  before  us  a  good  series  of  Diglossa  major, 
Setojihaga  castaneicapilla,  Buarremon  personatus,  Campy- 
lopterus  hyperythrus ,  &c.,  besides  a  number  of  other  birds  not 
included  in  Schomburgk's  lists.  Of  these  latter  we  now 
describe  eighteen  species,  all  of  which  appear  to  us  to  be 
new,  some  of  them  being  remarkable  for  their  beauty  and 
distinctness. 

In  a  recent  number  of  the  'Proceedings  of  the  Royal 
Geographical  Society  '  (vi.  p.  552),  Mr.  Whitely  has  given  a 
short  account  of  his  journey  to  Roraima,  illustrated  with 
some  sketches  of  the  wonderful  mountains  under  which  he 
was  encamped  for  several  months.  In  this  paper  will  be 
found  an  account  of  the  physical  features  of  this  district,, 
which  it  is  Mr.  Whitely's  intention  of  again  visiting. 

The  collections  formed  by  Mr.  Whitely  in  British  Guiana 
now  include  skins  of  between  400  and  500  species ;  and  we 
hope  shortly  to  draw  up  a  list  of  the  Avhole,  and  for  this 
purpose  we  have  retained  in  our  collection  representatives 
of  all  of  them. 

TURDUS  RORAIMiE. 

Sordide  olivaceus,  capite  undique,  alls  et  cauda  nigris,  ab- 

*  For  Part  I.  see  Ibis,  1882,  pp.  76-84;  Part  II.  Ibis,  1883,  pp.  203-212, 


444        Messrs.  O.  Salvin  and  F.  DiiCane  Godman  on 

domiuc  medio  ciunamomeo,   crisso   fusco   cinnamomeo 
marginato ;  rostro  flavo^  pedibus  pallide  corylinis  :  long, 
tota  9*5,  alae  4*9^  caudse  4-Oj  rostri  a  rictu  1*15,  tarsi  1"3. 
?   mari  similis^  sed  gula  uigro  striata  et  rostro  nigricante 
distinguenda. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Obs.  T.  olivatri  ex  Venezuela  certe  affiuis^  sed  colore  capitis 
iiigro  magis  restricto  et  margine  ejus  postico  male  definito 
facile  distinguendus. 

An.  interesting  Thrush,  obtained  in  some  numbers  by  Mr. 
Whitely  at  the  foot  of  Roraima,  at  an  altitude  of  from  5000 
to  6000  feet.  It  is  allied  to  the  Venezuelan  T.  olivater,  and 
may  be  distinguished  from  it  by  the  black  of  the  head  being 
more  restricted  and  gradually  passing  into  the  colour  of  the 
rest  of  the  body,  there  being  no  sharp  definition  between 
the  two  colours,  as  in  the  allied  bird. 

Chlorophonia  roraima. 

Clare  viridis ;  oculorum  ambitu,  cervice  postica  et  dorso  postico 
toto  Isete  cseruleis,  dorso  antico  quoquc  csernleo,  sed  viridi 
intermixto  ;  fronte  et  abdomine  toto  flavis  ;  rostro  nigro, 
pedibus  corylinis:  long,  tota  4*2,  alai  2'5,  caudae  1"5, 
rostri  a  rictu  0*45,  tarsi  0*5 . 
$  viridis;  oculorum  ambitu,  cervice  postica  eturopygio  tan- 
tura  Cceruleis,  abdomine  vix  flavo  tincto. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roi'aima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Obs.  C.  frontali  ex  Venezuela  affinis,  sed  dorso  antico 
cseruleo  tincto  diversa. 

This  species  has  the  whole  back  as  blue  as  in  C.  viridis 
and  C.  longipennis ,  whilst  the  nape  is  more  clearly  of  that 
colour.  On  the  other  hand  the  forehead  is  yellow,  as  in 
C.  frontalis,  which,  again,  has  a  green  back.  C  roraima  thus 
forms  a  link  between  C.  viridis  and  C.  frontalis.  This  fact, 
however,  does  not  admit  of  employing  the  fashionable 
trinomial  nomenclature  to  these  birds,  inasmuch  as  their 
distribution  in  isolated  mountain-chains  renders  it  highly 
improbable  that  any  thing  like  complete  fusion  exists 
between  them. 


Iks,1884,Pl.Xin. 


J.G-.KsTolemaJis  luja. 


CALLISTE  WHITErn,  6,  Q 


Hsuxhitrt  imp 


Birds  from  British  Guiana.  445 

Calliste  whitelyi.     (Plate  XIII.) 

Pallicle   schistacea^  opalino   tincta,  capite    undique,    alls    et 
Cauda  nigris^  subalaribus  albis ;  rostro  et  pedibus  uigris  : 
long-,   tota   5*3,  alae  2*8,   caudae  2'\,  rostri  a  rictu  0*5^ 
tarsi  0*6. 
?  supra  virescenSj  capite  sum  mo  obscure  fusco,  alls  et  cauda 
nigricantibus  extus  cseruleo  limbatis^  subtus  ciuerascens, 
abdomine  medio  albicantiore  albido  striato,  liypochon- 
driis  oleagineis,  subalaribus  albis. 
Hab.  in  moute  "  Roraima  ■"  dicto^  Guiana  Brit. 
Mas.  nostr. 

Ohs.  C.  cyanoptera,  ex  Venezuela^  affinis^  sed  alis  maris 
uigris  nee  cyaneo  limbatis  facile  distinguenda. 

Mr,  Whitely's  collection  contains  several  specimens  of  this 
fine  new  Calliste,  all  of  them  shot  in  the  forests  on  the  slopes 
of  Roraima-j  at  an  altitude  of  from  5000  to  6000  feet.  As  in 
the  case  of  the  two  preceding  species,  its  alliance  is  with  a 
well-known  Venezuelan  Calliste,  from  which,  however,  it  is 
obviously  distinct. 

PhONIPARA  PH^OPTILA. 

Omnino  fuliginosa,  abdomine  imo  vix  pallidiore,  crisso  albido 
striato;   rostro  nigro,  mandibulse  basi  pallida,  pedil)us 
corylinis :  long,  tota  4"6,  alje  2'3,  caudte  2*0,  rostri  a 
rictu  0*45,  tarsi  0"6. 
Hab.  in  monte  '^  Roraima  ^^  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
l^his.  nostr. 

Obs.  P.  bicolori  affinis,  sed  dorso  fuliginoso  nee  olivacco 
differt. 

Mr.  Whitely's  single  specimen  of  this  species  was  obtained 
near  Roraima,  at  an  elevation  of  about  3500  feet  above  the 
sea.  It  seems  quite  distinct  from  all  the  species  of  Phonipara 
hitherto  described. 

EUSCARTHMUS  RUSSATUS. 

Supra  virescens,  capite  toto  summo  et  nucha  plumbeo-nigris, 
fronte  capite  lateribus  et  gutture  toto  laete  cinnamomeis, 
alis  et  Cauda  nigris  extus  viride  limbatis,  illis  quoque 
fasciis  duabus  cinnamomeo-viridibus  ornatis ;  abdomine 
medio  albido,  liypochondriis  plumbesecnti-viridibus  ; 
SER.  V. VOL.  i[.  2  k 


446        Messrs.  O.  Salvin  and  F.  DuCane  Goclman  on 

rostro  nigroj  pedibiis  corylinis  :  long,  tota  .3"G,  alaj  TO, 
caudse  Vo,  rostri  a  rictu  0*6^  tarsi  O'T'S, 
$  mari  similis. 
Hah.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Obs.  Ab  E.  yiilari  capitc  sumnio  plumbeo-nigro^  fronte  et 
auricularibus  cinnamomcis  et  gutture  saturatiore  cinnamomeo 
facile  distinguendus. 

Mr.  Whitely's  specimens  of  this  species  were  obtained  at 
an  elevation  of  6000  above  the  sea,  in  the  forest-clad  slopes 
leading  to  the  cliffs  of  Roraima.  The  bird  is  certainly  nearly 
allied  to  E.  gularis,  of  which  we  have  specimens  both  from 
Brazil  and  also  from  Bolivia.  The  colours  of  the  plumage 
are  similarly  distributed^  but  are  all  much  deeper  in  tint. 

Leptopogon  nigrifrons. 
Supra    olivaceus,  capite  summo   cinereo,    fronte    medialiter 
nigra,  antice  et  postice  albo  limbata,  superciliis  et  loris 
quoque    albis ;     alis    et    cauda    fusco-nigris     olivaceo 
limbatis,    secundariis    internis    et    tectricibus    alarum 
maculis   flavis  terminatis,   subtus   cinereo-albus,  hypo- 
chondriis    olivascentibus ;    rostro  nigro,    pedibus    cory- 
linis  :   long,  tota  5"2,  alse  2"45,  caudse  2'6,  rostri  a  rictu 
0-6,  tarsi  0-7. 
Hab.  in  monte  '^  Roraima"  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Mr.  Whitely's  collection  contains  only  a  single  male  speci- 
men of  this  peculiar  bird,  which  he  shot  at  an  elevation  of 
5000  feet  above  the  sea,  on  the  slopes  of  Roraima. 

In  coloration  L.  nigrifrons  has  no  near  allies,  the  black 
band  across  the  forehead  being  quite  peculiar.  The  long 
rictal  bristles  and  the  rather  straight  narrow  bill  and  compa- 
ratively long  tail  seem  to  indicate  its  place  in  the  genus 
Le'ptopogon,  but  we  are  in  some  doubt  on  this  point. 

ElAINEA  OLIVINA." 

Supra  saturate  oleaginea_,  capite  obscuriore,  crista  verticali 
celata  alba;  alis  et  cauda  nigricanti-fuscis,  secundariis 
extus  olivaceo-albido  limbatis,  tectricibus  albido  bifas- 
ciatis;  loris  et  corpore  subtus  olivaceo -flavidis,  pectore 
et  hypochondriis  paulo  obscurioribus,  gula  albicantiorc ; 


Birds  from  British  Guiana.  447 

rostro  obscure  fusco,  mandibulse  basi  albicaiite ;  pedibus 
saturate  coryliuis  :  long,  tota  5-6^  ala  2-85,  caudse  2'7, 
rostri  a  rictu  0*6,  tarsi  0"7. 
?  mari  similis. 
Hub.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto^  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

This  is  apparently  a  very  distinct  species  of  Elainea,  be- 
longing to  the  group  with  the  wliite  concealed  vertical  patch. 
In  size  it  is  about  the  same  as  E.  albiceps,  but  is  of  a  much 
brighter  olive-yellow  beneath. 

Mr.  Whitely  found  this  species  on  the  slopes  of  Roraima, 
at  elevations  between  3500  and  6000  feet. 

Chloropipo  uniformis. 
Saturate  olivaceuSj  subtus  paulo  sordidior^  gula  cinereo  vix 
induta^  abdomine  medio  pallidiore  ;    rostro  et  pedibus 
plumbeo-nigris  :  long,  tota  5*4^  alte  o'l,  caudae  2-4,  rostri 
a  rictu  O'Q,  tarsi  0"6. 
$  mari  omnino  similis. 

Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto^  Guiana  Brit. 

This  rather  singular  bird  seems  best  placed  in  the  genus 
Chloropipo,  from  the  type  of  which,  C  flavicapilla,  it  differs 
in  having  a  rather  longer  tail  and  in  the  base  of  the  culmen 
of  the  bill  being  rather  more  flattened.  In  its  general  colo- 
ration C  uniformis  might  easily  be  mistaken  for  the  female  of 
Xenopipo  atronitens ;  but  the  absence  of  the  slightly  metallic 
gloss  on  the  upper  plumage  of  that  bird,  and  the  maxilla 
being  dark  to  the  base,  are  characters  which  at  once  distin- 
guish it  on  closer  inspection. 

Mr.  Whitely  obtained  a  good  many  specimens  of  both 
sexes  at  elevations  varying  from  3500  to  6500  feet,  and 
dissected  examples  show  that  there  is  no  material  ditfcreucc 
in  the  plumage  of  the  males  and  females. 

PiPRA  IRACUNDA. 

p.  rubricapiUce  similis,  sed  capite  saturatiore  rubro  et  plumis 
capitis  postici  valde  elongatis,  fere   ut   in   P.  cornuta  : 
long,  tota  4*4,  alee  2*6,  caudse  1'5,  rostri  a  rictu  0*6, 
tarsi  0"7. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  ^^  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 

2k2 


148        Messrs.  O.  Salvin  and  F.  DuCaiie  Godman  on 

This  pretty  Pipi'a  has  the  red  thighs  of  P.  ruhricapilla  and 
a  black  throat,  as  in  that  species,  but  the  red  colour  of  the 
head  is  not  only  deeper  in  tint,  but  extends  much  further 
over  the  nape,  almost  as  a  crest.  In  this  latter  character  it 
somewhat  resembles  P.  corniita,  from  which  bird  its  black 
throat  at  once  distinguishes  it. 

Mr.  Whitely  only  obtained  a  single  male  specimen  of 
P.  iracunda,  on  the  slopes  of  Roraima,  at  an  elevation  of 
3500  feet. 

PaCHYHHAMPHUS  GRISEIGULARIS. 

Pachyrhamphus  yriseigularis,  Salv.  &  Godm.  Ibis,   1883, 

p.  208,  ?  . 

In  our  last  paper  on  Mr.  Whitely' s  birds  we  ventured  to 
describe  a  female  specimen  of  a  Pachyrhamphus  under  this 
name.  In  the  present  collection  we  are  glad  to  find  a  single 
male,  which  confirms  the  distinctness  of  the  species,  and 
which  we  describe  as  follows:  — 

Supra  olivaceus, capite  suramo  nigro,  genis  olivaceis,loris  albis; 

alis  et  Cauda  nigris,  secundariis  iuternis  et  tectricibus 

illarum  omnibus    sordide    olivaceo    margiuatis ;    subtus 

gula  et  pectore  griseis  albo  striatis,  ventre  medio  et  crisso 

albis  ;    rostro  plumbeo-nigro,   tomiis    albidis  ;    pedibus 

plumbeis  :  long,  tota  5 '4,   alse   3,   caudse   2*2,   rostri   a 

rictu  0"9,  tarsi  0*8. 

Obs.  A  P.  viridi  ex  Bahia  differt  cervice  postica  olivacea, 

pectore  griseo  nee  fiavo,  et  tectricibus  alarum  et  secundariis 

internis  nigris  nee  olivaceis, 

From  this  description  it  Avill  be  at  once  seen  that  P.  grisei- 
gvJaris  is  a  very  well-defined  species.  The  male  w^as  shot  by 
Mr.  Whitely  at  an  elevation  of  3500  feet,  on  the  slopes  of 
lloraima. 

Lathria  streptophora.      (Plate  XIV.) 
Cinereus,  subtus  paulo  dilutior,  torque  cervicali  antice  late 
postice  anguste,  Isetissime  rosaceo,  crisso  quoque  ejus- 
dem  coloris  ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris  :  long,  tota  9"0, 
alae  1'8,  caudae  3' 7,  rostri  a  rictu  095,  tarsi  0-8. 
5  ignota. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 


Itis,188'i,Pl.XIV'. 


J-G-.KeuleHians  litti- 


Hanlisurb  imp . 


LATHRIA  STREPTOPHORA. 


CENTRAL  P/\: 


^^O^     NEW  YORK, 

%  ^  A/ 


Birds  from  British  Guiana.  449 

This  species  is  about  the  size  of  L.  cineracea,  but  the 
beautiful  Tosy  ring  round  the  neck  and  the  under  tail-coverts 
of  the  same  colour  at  once  distinguish  it  at  a  glance  from  all 
the  usually  plain-coloured  members  of  the  genus  Lathria. 

Oi  L.  streptophora  Mr.  Whitely  only  obtained  two  male 
specimens,  at  an  elevation  of  about  5000  feet.  He  says  he 
saw  the  female,  but  failed  to  secure  one. 

PiPREOLA  WHITELYI. 

(^  adhuc  ignotus. 

?  supra  olivacea,  fronte  capitis  lateribus  et  torque  cervicali 
postico  anguste  flavido  lavatis  ;  subtus  alba  flavido  tincta 
et  undique  olivaceo  guttata ;  crisso  flavido ;  rostro  ru- 
bicundo,  pedibus  corylinis  :  long,  tota  Q'7 ,  alse  3'6, 
caudae  2'7 ,  rostri  a  rictu  0*8,  tarsi  0*85. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  bird  sent  by  Mr.  Whitely  is, 
unfortunately,  a  female,  and  we  are  unable  to  form  any  idea 
as  to  the  coloration  of  the  male,  which  doubtless  is  a  brightly 
pkimaged  bird,  as  is  usual  in  the  members  of  this  genus.  As 
the  secondaries  are  without  terminal  spots,  we  conclude  that 
this  Guiana  bird  belongs  to  the  section  of  the  genus  con- 
taining P.jucunda  and  P.  elegans  (see  Sclater,  Ibis,  1878, 
p.  166).  We  venture  to  describe  this  female,  as  it  bears  no 
near  resemblance  to  any  hitherto  known  species,  but  we  wait 
with  interest  the  arrival  of  the  male,  which  can  hardly  fail 
to  be  a  beautiful  bird. 

Synallaxis  demissa. 

Supra  ochraceo-brunnea,  capite  summo,  tectricibus  alarum  et 
Cauda  cinnamomeis,   fronte  et    corpore    subtus   cinera- 
scentibus,  hoc  medialiter  albican tiore,  pi agagulari  nigra 
nulla  j  rostro  et  pedibus  f uscis  :  long,  tota  6'0,  alse  2*4, 
caudas  3*0,  rostri  a  rictu  0'6,  tarsi  0'7. 
$  mari  similis. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima '■"  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Obs.  S.  front ali  proxima,  sed  plaga  celata  gulari  nigra  nulla 
facile  dignoscenda. 


450        Messrs.  O.  Salvin  and  F.  DuCane  Godman  on 

Several  specimens,  obtained  as  high  as  6000  feet  on  the 
slopes  of  Roraima. 

Synallaxis  adusta. 
Supra  intense  brunnea  quasi  adusta,  capite  obscuriore,  alis 
fusco-nigris  extus  brunneis  ;  subtus  gula  alba,  pectore  et 
abdomine   medio    albis    fusco    striolatis,    hypochondriis 
brunneo-fuscescentibns ;  rostro  fusco,   mandibulae  basi 
pallida,   pedibus  nigricantibus  :  long,  tota  5"5,  alse  2*4, 
caudre  2"5,  rostri  a  rictu  0'7,  tarsi  0*9. 
?  mari  similis. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima"  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Ohs.  S.  hemostictce  forsan  affinis,  sed  gula  alba  nee  striata 
facile  distinguenda. 

This  bird  was  obtained  by  Mr.  Whitely,  at  an  elevation  of 
6000  feet,  on  the  sloj)es  of  Rorairaa.  The  species  seems  very 
distinct,  though  allied  to  S.  Icemosticta  and  S.  tei'restris. 

Philydor  albigularis. 

Brunneus,  subtus  dilutior,  capite  paulo  obscuriore,  uropygio, 
Cauda  et  subalaribiis  intense   cinnamomeis,   superciliis 
elongatis  et  gula  tota  lactescenti-albidis  ;  rostro  et  pedi- 
bus obscure    corylinis,    illius    mandibulai  basi    pallida : 
long,  tota  Q-Q,  alse  3'2,  caudte  S'O,  rostri  a  rictu  0*9, 
tarsi  0*9. 
$  mari  similis. 
Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraima  "  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

The  pale,  nearly  Avhite,  throat,  contrasting  with  the  colour 
of  the  rest  of  the  under  plumage,  distinguishes  this  species 
from  all  with  which  we  are  acquainted. 

Several  specimens  are  in  Mr.  Whitely's  collection,  obtained 
at  an  elevation  of  from  5000  to  6000  feet,  on  the  slopes  of 
Roraima. 

Thamnophilus  insignis. 
Supra  niger,  cervice  postica  et  dorso  medio  albo  vix  celato 
ornatis,  alis  medialiter  extus  albo  limbatis,  tectricibus 
alarum  et  supracaudalibus  albo  terminatis,  secundariis 
internis  et  scapularibus  extus  albo  late  marginatis,  cauda 
prietcr   rectriccs    duas   medias   albo   terminata,  duabus 


Birds  from  British  Guiana.  451 

utrinque  extimis  quoque  macula  alba  extiis  medialiter 
ornatis ;  subtus  obscure  cinereis^  gutture  paulo  satura- 
tiore ;  crisso  albo  terminato ;  rostro  et  pedibus  nigris : 
long,  tota  Q-Q,  alae  0*3,  caudge  rectr.  med.  2*7,  lat.  2-0, 
rostri  a  rictu  0*8^  tarsi  0-9. 
9  mari  similis^  pileo  antico  albo  interuaixtO;  postico  Isete  cin- 
namomeo-brunneo  distinguenda. 
Hub.  in  monte  "Koraima^^  dicto^  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Of  this  beautiful  Thamnophilus  Mr.  Wliitely  obtained 
several  specimens,  at  an  elevation  of  about  5000  feet,  on  the 
slopes  of  Roraima.  The  species  is  quite  distinct  from  any 
known  to  us,  the  sexual  difference  in  the  colouring  of  the 
head  being  peculiar. 

Grallaria  simplex. 
G.  brevicaudce  certe  affinis  et  supra  ejusdem  coloris,  subtus 
pectore  unicolore  griseo  hand  striato  et   hypochondriis 
griseis  differt :  long,  tota  5*5,  alse  3"2,  caudse  \7,  rostri 
a  rictu  0*9,  tarsi  \7. 
Hah.  in  monte  "  Roraima  '^  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

This  species  at  first  sight  recalls  G.  brevicauda,  a  lowland 
bird,  the  place  of  which  it  seems  to  take  in  tlie  higher 
mountains.  The  plain  ash-coloured  chest  at  once  distin- 
guishes it. 

Mr.  Whitely  secured  a  small  series  of  this  Grallaria,  at  an 
elevation  of  about  5000  feet,  on  the  slopes  of  Roraima. 

Petasophora  germana. 
P.  anai  affinis  et   ejusdem    staturse,  sed  gula  multo  magis 
c?erulea,  gutture  quoque  toto  cserulescentiore  et  fronte 
Cccruleo  suifusa  distinguenda. 

Hab.  in  monte  "  Roraiiua^^  dicto,  Guiana  Brit. 

Mr.  Whitely  obtained  a  pair  of  this  species  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Roraima,  the  male  at  an  elevation  of  5000  feet,  the 
female  at  6000  feet.  Though  the  difference  between  the  pre- 
sent bird  and  P.  anais  of  the  Andes  is  not  great,  we  feel  justi- 
fied in  separating  them,  the  ranges  of  the  two  being  doubtless 
broken  ])y  the  low-lying  lands  of  the  Orinoco  valley.     It  is, 


453  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

no  doubt,  this  species  which  Schomburgk  mentions  in  his  list 
of  Guiana  birds  {'  Reise  in  Guiana/  iii.  p.  707). 

Amazilia  cupreicauda. 
Capite  summo  et  corpore  toto  subtus  splendide  virescentibus, 
dorso  cupreo  tincto,  tectricibus  supracaudalibus  et  cauda 
saturate  cinnamomeis  cupreo  lavatis,  plaga  hypochon- 
driaca  et  tibiis  niveis^  crisso  pure  cinnamomeo  immacu- 
lato  ;  rostri  maxilla  fusca,  mandibulje    bitriente  basali 
pallida:  long,   tota  3"5,  alse  2*0,  caudse  1"15,  rostri  a 
rictu  0'8. 
?  mari  similis^  coloribus  minus  vividis. 
Hab.  in  monte  ''  Roraima  "  dado,  Guiana  Brit. 
Mus.  nostr. 

Obs.  A.  viridiventri  sirailis,  sed  cauda  cupreo-cinnamomea 
nee  violacea,  crisso  cinnamomeo^  cauda  minus  furcata  &c. 
distinguenda. 

This  speciesj  of  which  Mr.  Whitely  obtained  a  good  series 
of  examples,  seems  certainly  distinct  from  A.  viridiventris 
of  Colombia,  and  the  characters  pointed  out  above  seem  to 
stand  with  great  certainty.  In  Venezuela  there  is  also  a 
species  of  this  genus,  which  is  also  allied  to  A.  viridi- 
vent7'is,  and  of  which  we  have  one  indifferent  specimen. 
Whether  it  is  really  to  be  distinguished  from  the  bird  we 
now  describe  remains  to  be  determined  on  receipt  of  more 
examples  in  better  condition.  Anyhow,  we  are  not  aware 
that  the  Venezuelan  bird  has  a  name  strictly  applicable  to  it. 


XLVII. — Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications. 

(Continued  from  p.  348.) 

71.  'The  Auk.' 

['  The  Aiik,'  a  Quarterly  Joixrual  of  Ornithology.  Continuation  of  the 
<  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club.'  Vol.  I.  Nos.  2  k  3,  April 
and  July  1884.     Boston,  Mass.] 

Besides  receiving  the  numbers  of  '  The  Auk'  complete,  we 
have  been  favoured  with  separate  copies  of  several  of  the 
articles  by  Mr.  Lawrence  and  Mr.  tStcjnegcr.     To  give  an 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  453 

abstract  of  the  contents  of  these  two  very  interesting  numbers 
is,  we  think,  not  necessary.  Readers  of  '  The  Ibis '  must 
read  '  The  Auk '  also.  But  we  will  offer  a  few  remarks  on 
one  or  two  points. 

We  must  confess  that  Mr.  Stejneger  makes  an  effective 
reply  (p.  118)  to  our  argument  (Ibis,  1883,  p.  116)  about 
Plectrophanes ,  which  term,  it  must  be  conceded,  is  strictly  a 
mere  equivalent  of  Calcarius.  We  had  not  noticed  that 
Meyer,  when  he  first  instituted  Plectrophanes,  in  1815,  con- 
tinued to  place  the  Snow-Bunting  under  Emberiza.  The 
"  strictly  correct "  generic  term  for  the  Snow-Bunting  is  con- 
sequently Plectrophenax .  But  must  we  always  do  what  is 
"  strictly  correct "  ?  Our  sense  revolts  against  the  wholesale 
changes  of  familiar  names  which  Mr.  Stejneger  seems  to 
take  a  special  delight  in  bringing  forward. 

Mr.  Lawrence  describes  (p.  180)  a  new  Pigeon  from  the 
island  of  Granada,  N.S.,  as  EngtjjJtila  wellsi. 

In  No.  3  Mr.  Stejneger  describes  a  new  Gull,  Larus 
schistisagus  [?  L.  affinisl,  from  the  Commander  Islands 
(p.  231);  and  Mr.  Henshaw  another  new  Gull,  L.  nelsoni, 
from  Alaska. 

72.  R.  Blasius  on  the  Ornithological  Congress  at  Vienna. 

[Erstev  internatioBaler  Ornithologen-Congress  in  Wieu.  Von  Dr.  R, 
Blasius.  Monats.  d.  deutscli.  Vereins  zurn  Schutze  d.  Vogelwelt,  1884, 
No.  5.] 

Dr.  R.  Blasius  gives  an  account  of  the  Ornithological 
Congress  at  Vienna  in  April  last,  which  seems  to  have  been 
attended  by  representatives  of  almost  all  civilized  countries 
except  England  and  America.  The  President  was  the 
Marquis  v.  Bellegarde,  the  Vice-President  Dr.  Gustav 
Radde  of  Tiflis.  Three  Sections  were  formed  : — (1)  For 
the  consideration  of  an  International  Law  for  the  Preserva- 
tion of  Birds;  (2)  For  the  question  of  the  Origin  of  the 
Domestic  Fowl ;  (3)  For  the  establishment  of  Stations  for 
the  Observation  of  Birds  over  the  whole  Morld.  The  pro- 
ceedings of  each  Section  are  shortly  given. 


454  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

73.  W.  Blasius's  second  Paper  on  the  Great  Auk. 

[Zur  Geschiclite  der  Ueberreste  von  Alca  impennis,  Linn.  Von  Pruf. 
Dr.  Wilh.  Blasius.     J.  f.  0. 1884,  p.  58.] 

We  noticed  Prof.  Blasius's  first  paper  on  this  subject  in 
our  April  number  (p.  204).  In  this  second  contribution  he 
gives  further  details  respecting  this  interesting  extinct 
species,  and  increases  the  number  of  specimens  known  to 
exist  from  74  to  7Q. 

74.  Cope  on  the  Zoological  Position  of  Texas. 

[On  the  Zoological  Position  of  Texas.  By  Edward  D.  Cope,  Bull. 
U.S.  Nat.  Mus.,  No.  17.] 

Mr.  Cope  discusses  Texas  with  regard  to  the  question  of 
the  point  of  junction  of  the  Nearctic  and  Neotropical  faunas. 
As  we  all  know,  the  tableland  of  IVIexico  is  populated  by  an 
animal  life  which  belongs  to  the  north  and  differs  essentially 
from  that  of  the  coast-region  on  each  side.  The  genera  of 
South  America  terminate  their  range  at  various  points  along 
the  coast-region,  but  on  the  Atlantic  slope  "  enough  of  them 
remain  at  Matamoras,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  to 
show  that  that  point  is  not  far  from  the  northern  boundary 
of  the  Neotropical  Realm.''  On  the  other  hand,  various 
northern  genera  run  south  over  the  tableland  as  far  as  the 
City  of  Mexico. 

Mr.  Cope  discusses  only  the  Mammals,  Reptiles,  and 
Batrachians  of  Texas  ;  but  his  essay  should  not  the  less 
be  read  by  ornithologists.  His  conclusion  is  that  Texas 
must  be  placed  within  the  Nearctic  Region,  a  result  with 
which  we  believe  students  of  its  avifauna  will  also  agree. 

75.  Coues  and  Prentiss  on  the  Avifauna  of  Columbia. 

[Avifauna  Columbiana  ;  being  a  List  of  Birds  ascertained  to  inhabit  the 
district  of  Columbia,  with  the  times  of  arrival  and  departure  of  such  as 
are  non-residents,  and  brief  notices  of  habits  &c.  Second  Edition.  By- 
Elliott  Coues,  M.D.,  Ph.D.,  and  D.  Webster  Prentiss,  A.M.,  M.D.  Bull. 
U.S.  Nat.  Mus.,  No.  26,  1883.] 

Tlie   title   of  this    list   fully  explains    its    contents.     The 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  455 

species  as  yet  recognized  as  occurring  within  the  district  of 
Columbia  are  248  in  number^  of  which,  as  shown  in  the 
"  Recapitulation/^  47  are  "  permanent  residents/'  46  "  winter 
visitants/'  QQ  ''  summer  visitants/'  49  "  spring  and  autumn 
migrants/'  and  40  "  accidental  or  very  rare  visitors."  The 
game-laws  of  the  district  are  subjoined.  The  chapter  on  the 
Location  and  Topography  of  the  District  of  Columbia  con- 
tains an  account  of  "  Rail-shooting  on  the  Anaconda-River 
marshes/'  which,  though  not  strictly  scientific,  will  interest 
many  of  our  readers. 

7Q.  Dalgleish  on  Birds  and  Eggs  from  Central  Uruguay. 

[Notes  on  a  Second  Collection  of  Birds  and  Eggs  from  Central  Uruguay. 
By  John  J.  Dalgleish.     Proc,  Koy.  Phys.  Soc.  Ediiib,  vol.  viii.  p.  77.] 

Mr.  Dalgleish's  correspondent  in  the  Banda  Oriental  con- 
tinues his  interesting  field-notes  on  the  birds  of  Central 
Uruguay,  and  their  nests  and  eggs.  Fifteen  species  are 
included  in  the  present  contribution. 

77.  Finsch  on  Birds  from  the  South  Pacific. 

[Ueber  Vogel  der  Siidsee.  Auf  Grand  eigener  Beobachtungen  und 
Sammlungen  mitgetbeilt  von  Dr.  0.  Finsch,  Ebreumitglied  des  Ornith. 
Vereines  in  Wien.     Wien  :  1884.     56  pp.] 

The  object  of  this  essay  was,  we  believe,  to  give  an  account 
of  the  collection  of  birds  obtained  by  the  author  during  his 
travels  in  the  Pacific,  and  exhibited  at  the  recent  Ornitho- 
logical Congress  at  Vienna.  The  collection  is  divided  into 
five  categories  : — (1)  New  Britain,  (2)  New  Guinea,  (3)  Cape 
York  and  Torres  Straits,  (4)  New  Zealand,  and  (5)  Micro- 
nesia. General  remarks  are  prefaced  about  the  five  dififerent 
localities,  and  special  notes  appended  to  the  name  of  each 
species. 

78.  Giraldes  on  the  Birds  of  Portugal. 

[Questoes  de  Philosophia  Natural  por  Albino  Giraldes. — III.  Catalogo 
das  Aves  de  Portugal  existentes  actualmente  no  museu  de  Coimbra, 
1878.     8vo.     Coimbra:  1879.] 


456  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

The  species  enumerated  amount  to  205^,  most  of  them 
known  to  occur  in  other  portions  of  the  Iberian  Peninsula. 
Provided  the  identifications  are  correct,  tlie  most  interesting 
for  distribution  are  Picus  medius  and  Loxia  pityopsittacus, 
the  latter  new  to  the  Peninsula.  About  10  species  which 
may  be  expected  to  be  found  in  Portugal  are  as  yet  unrepre- 
sented in  the  Coimbra  Museum. 

79.  Gurney's  List  of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of  Prey. 

[A  List  of  the  Diuiual  Birds  of  Prey,  with  references  and  annotations ; 
also  a  record  of  specimens  preserved  in  the  Norfolk  and  Norwich  Museum. 
By  John  Henry  Gurney.     8vo.     London  :  1884.] 

This  list  was  originally  intended  to  serve  as  an  Index  to 
Mr.  Gurney^s  series  of  critical  articles  which  have  appeared 
in  this  Journal  on  Mr.  Sharpens  '  Catalogue  of  the  Diurnal 
Birds  of  Prey.'  With  this  the  author  subsequently  deter- 
mined to  combine  a  list  of  all  the  species  and  subspecies  of 
Birds  of  Prey  known  to  him,  and  to  add  a  few  of  the  most 
necessary  references,  together  with  a  statement  of  the  number 
of  specimens  of  each  species  in  the  Norwich  Museum.  This 
rich  collection,  Mr.  Gurney  tells  us,  contains  2895  sjoecimens 
representing  383  species  and  subspecies  of  Accipitres,  and 
1009  specimens  representing  171  species  of  Striges. 

To  his  most  useful  list  Mr.  Gurney  adds  a  series  of  15 
appendices  (A  to  O),  containing  essays  on  various  moot 
points  in  the  history  of  the  Accipitres.  In  one  of  these  a 
new  Kestrel  {Tinnunculus  arthari)  from  Mombasa  is  de- 
scribed for  the  first  time. 

80.  Harvie-Brown  on  Records  of  Migration. 

[On  the  Occurrence  of  the  Little  Gull  {Larus  ruinutus)  in  the  Island  of 
North  Uist ;  with  Remarks  on  the  Objects  of  the  International  Ornitho- 
logists' Congress  at  Vienna,  and  on  Uniformity  of  Method  in  recording 
Rare  Species  in  future.  By  John  A.  Harvie-Brown.  Proc.  Roy.  Phys. 
Soc.  Edinb.  vol.  viii.  p.  105. 

Method  in  recording  Observatitms.  By  John  A.  Harvie-Brown.  Zool. 
1884,  p.  GO.] 

In  our  last  number  (p.  319)  wc  ])rintcd  a  letter  from  our 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  457 

esteemed  fellow-worker  bearing  upon  a  concise  and  simple 
method  of  recording  ornithological  observations^  his  text 
being  then  the  occurrence  of  the  Black  Redstart  {Ruticilla 
titys)  at  Pentland  Skerries.  In  the  present  papers  he  has 
selected  as  his  theme  the  Little  Gull  {Larus  minutus),  which 
has  been  killed  in  North  Uist — apparently  the  most  westerly 
locality  as  yet  recorded  in  Europe. 

81.  Martorelli  on  the  Fauna  of  Sardinia. 

[OsseiTazioni  sui  Mammiferi  eel  Uccelli  fatte  iu  Sardegna  dal  Dott. 
Giacinto  Martorelli.     Small  folio.     Pistoia  :  1884.] 

In  this  useful  addition  to  our  knowledge  of  the  Birds  of 
the  island  of  Sardinia  we  have  a  coloured  illustration  of  an 
immature  example  of  a  Falcon  which  has  been  pronounced 
by  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  to  be  Faico  punicus  {cf.  Salvadori, 
infra,  p.  462).  There  is  also  a  coloured  plate  of  a  prettily 
placed  nest  of  the  Grey  Flycatcher  [Butalis  grisola),  over- 
hung with  the  maidenhair  fern^  and  an  outline  illustration  of 
heads  and  feet  of  various  groups.  We  cannot  always  agree 
with  the  learned  Doctor  in  the  orthography  of  his  scientific 
names,  such  as  Haegilites  for  ^gialitis. 

82.  Menzbier  on  the  Avifauna  of  Central  Russia. 

[Revue  Comparative  de  laFaune  Ornithologique  des  Gouvernements  de 
Moscou  et  de  Toula.  Par  Michel  Menzbier.  Bull.  Soc.  Imp.  Nat.  Moscou, 
Ivi.  pp.  202-219,  Iviii.  pp.  109-144.] 

The  writer,  who  had  already  published  (Bull.  Soc.  Imp.  Nat. 
IMoscou,  1879)  a  paper  on  the  Birds  of  the  Government  of 
Toula,  which  is  situated  nearly  due  south  of  that  of  Moscow, 
now  gives  a  columnar  list  of  the  266  species  found  in  both 
these  districts.  This  is  followed  by  a  catalogue  of  259 
species  obtained  between  the  Volga  and  the  Oka,  with  very 
interesting  remarks  upon  their  geographical  distribution. 

83.  Menzbier  on  the  Extinction  of  Species  through  Crossing. 

[Conferences  de  la  Societe  zoologique  de  France.— Role  du  Croisement 
dans  I'extiuction  des  Especes.  Par  M.  Michel  Menzbier.  Revue  Scient. 
ser.  3,  1884,  p.  513.] 


458  Recently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

The  study  of  the  group  of  Blue  Tits  led  the  author  to 
the  conclusion  that  Cyanistes  jjleskei  and  C.  flavipectus  are 
old  forms,  which  are  being  bred-out  by  crossing  with 
C.  cyanus  and  the  intermediate  forms ;  and  he  goes  on  to 
consider  the  question  with  relation  to  Corvus  corone  and 
C.  comix,  Buteo  vulgaris  of  Western  and  B.  vulpinus  of 
Eastern  Europe,  Falco  eleonora  and  F.  arcadicus,  the 
members  of  the  genus  Cyanecula,  the  Nuthatches,  and  many 
other  birds  belonging  to  the  above  and  other  families.  The 
three  ways  in  which  these  crossings  influence  the  colour  of 
the  plumage  is  only  briefly  touched  upon,  and  this  subject 
is  reserved  for  future  investigation. 

81.  Meyer  on  Birds,  Nests,  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies. 

[Ueber  neue  uud  ungenligend  bekaunte  Vogel,  Nester  und  Eier  aus  dem 
Ostindischen  Arcliipel  im  liouigi.  zoologischen  Museum  zu  Dresden.  Dem 
I.  interuationalen  Ornithologen-Congress  iu  Wien  (7-14  April,  1884)  ge- 
widmet  vou  A.  B.  Meyer.  Sitzungsb.  u.  Abhaudl.  d.  Gesell.  Isis,  Dresden, 
1884,  Abhand.  i.] 

This  is  an  important  memoir.  After  an  introduction,  in 
which  he  speaks  of  the  birds  of  the  Sangi  Islands  (68  species 
known,  of  which  20  are  peculiar)  and  of  the  little-known 
islands  of  Kisser,  Letti,  Dammar,  Wetter,  Babbar,  as  well  as 
of  additional  species  from  the  Timor-Laut  group,  Buru,  and 
Sumatra,  Dr.  Meyer  treats  of  153  species  of  birds  in  the 
Dresden  Museum  in  systematic  order.  Amongst  these  the 
folloAving  new  species  and  subspecies  are  described,  and 
others  doubtfully  new  are  mentioned  besides  : — 

Urospizias  approximans  lialmaheron,  ex  Halmahera. 
Spilornis  asturinus,  ex  loc,  ign. 
Geoffroyus  timorlaoensis,  ex  inss.  Tenimber. 
Trichoglossus  nieyeri  honthainensis,  ex  Celebes. 
Merops  oi'natus  sumbaensis,  ex  Sumba. 
Caprimulgus  faberi,  ex  Sumatra. 
Munarcha  inornatus  kisserensis,  ex  Kisser. 
M.  geelvinhianus,  ex  Mysore  et  Jobi. 
M.fuscescens,  ex  Jamna  (ins.  Papuana). 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  459 

M.  pileatus  buruensis,  ex  Buru. 

Pcecilodryas  minor,  ex  Nov.  Guinea  et  Salawatti. 

Gerygo7ie  fulvescens,  ex  Babbar. 

Graculus  lettiensis,  ex  Letti. 

Lalage  riedelii,  ex  Kisser. 

L.  timoriensis  celebensis,  ex  Celebes. 

Artamus  musschenbroeki,  ex  iuss.  Tenimber. 

Rhectes  rubiensis,  ex  Nov.  Guinea. 

Pachycephala  kebirensis,  ex  Babbar. 

P.  riedelii,  ex  Timor-Laut. 

P.  sharpei,  ex  Babbar. 

Dicaum  salvadorii,  ex  Babbar. 

Philemon  kisserensis,  ex  Kisser. 

P.  timorlaoensis,  ex  Timor-Laut. 

Calornis  circumscripta,  ex  Timor-Laut. 

Ptilopus  flavo-virescens,  ex  Timor-Laut. 

Carpophaga  pinon  rubiensis,  ex  Nov.  Guinea. 

Many  important  remarks  are  given  on  other  s^^ecies.  The 
occurrence  of  a  Penguin  (Eudyptes  chrysocome)  on  the  coast 
of  Java^  near  Batavia,  is  recorded.  As  regards  Dr.  Meyer^'s 
supposed  new  species  from  Timor-Laut^  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes's 
remarks  (P.  Z.  S.  1884,  p.  425)  should  be  consulted. 


85.   Oustalet  07i  the  Collections  of  M.  E.  Chantre. 

[Note  sur  les  Collections  rapportees  par  M.  E.  Chantre  de  son  Voyao-e 
dans  le  Caucase  et  en  Orient.  Par  M.  E.  Oustalet.  Ann.  Sc.  Nat.,  Zool. 
xiii.  Art,  no.  7.] 

M.  Chantre's  collection  of  200  birds,  referable  to  90  species, 
was  made  in  the  Caucasus  and  in  other  parts  of  Western  Asia. 
A  list  of  the  localities  of  56  species  of  the  latter  category  is 
given.  Notes  are  added  on  the  species  of  Caccabis,  on  Ibis 
comaia,  and  on  the  Darter  of  Antioch,  which  M.  Oustalet 
considers  a  new  species  {P lotus  chantrei),  more  nearly  allied 
to  P.  melanogaster  than  to  P.  levaillanti.  Canon  Tristram  has 
referred  this  bird  to  P.  levaillanti  (P.  Z.  S.  1881,  p.  826,  and 
'  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Palestine,'  p.  108,  pi.  xiii.). 


460  Recently  published  Onitthological  Works. 

8G.    Ou&talet  on  the  Architecture  of  Birds. 

[L' Architecture  des  Oiseaux.  Conference  faite  a  la  Sorbonne,  le 
10  Mars  1883,  par  M.  E.  Oustalet,  Extr.  Bull.  Assoc.  Sclent.  France, 
Nos.  159-162.     42  pp.] 

An  essay  on  the  always  interesting  subject  of  Birds'  nests 
and  nesting-habits,  which  we  commend  to  our  readers' 
attention. 

87.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  New  Guinea. 

[Note  sur  quelques  Oiseaux  de  la  Nouvelle-Guinee.  Par  M.  E.  Oustalet. 
Ann.  Sc.  Nat.,  Zool.  ser.  0,  xiii.] 

M.  Oustalet  describes  the  adult  male  plumage  of  his 
Cyclopsittacus  salvadorii  (Bull.  Assoc.  Sc.  France,  ser.  2,  i. 
no.  11)  from  the  N.E.  coast  of  New  Guinea,  and  speaks  also 
of  his  Drepanornis  bruijnii. 

88-95.  Ridgivay  on  American  Birds. 

[88.  Descriptions  of  some  new  Nortli- American  Birds.  Proc.  Biol.  Soc. 
Washing-ton,  vol.  ii.  p.  89. 

89.  Description  of  a  new  American  Kingfisher.     Totn.  cit.  p.  95, 

90.  Note  on  Psaltriparns  grindcs,  Belding.      Tom.  cit.  p.  96. 

91.  Note  on  the  Generic  Name  Calodromas.     Totn.  cit.  p.  97. 

92.  A  Review  of  the  American  Crossbills  (Lo.via)  of  the  L.  curvirostra 
type.     Turn.  cit.  p.  101. 

93.  Note  on  the  Anas  hyperhoreus,  Pall.,  and  Anser  alhatus,  Cassin. 
Tom.  cit.  p.  107. 

94.  Remarks  on  the  Type  Specimens  of  Muscicapa  fidvifrons,  Giraud, 
and  MitrepJiorus  pallescens,  Coues.     Tom.  cit.  p.  108. 

95.  Note  regarding  the  earliest  Name  for  Carimdactis  hcsmon-hous 
(Wagler),     Tom.  cit.  p.  110.] 

In  No,  88  the  new  subspecies  described  are  : — Parus  atri- 
capillus  turneri,  from  Alaska ;  Psaltriparns  minimus  cali- 
fornicus,  from  California ;  Colaptes  mexicanus  saturatior, 
from  Washington  Territory  ;  Myiarchus  mexicanus  magister, 
from  Western  IMexico ;  M.  lawrencii  olivascens,  from  Te- 
huantepec;  Pedioecetes  phasianellus  campestris,  from  jMontana 
and  States  east  of  the  Rocky  IMountains;  Lophortyx  cali- 
fornicus  brunnescens,  from  Northern  California  ;  and  Phalu- 
crocorax  dilophus  albociliatus,  from  the  South-Pacific  coast 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  461 

of  the  United  States.  In  No.  89  Mr.  Ridgway  separates 
Ceryle  superciliosa  strictoptera,  from  Yucatan^  as  a  new  sub- 
species ;  in  No.  90  he  corrects  his  description  of  Psaltriparus 
grindce  (Pr.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  vi.  p.  155)  as  compared  with 
P.  melamtiis.  In  No.  91  it  is  proposed  to  change  the 
generic  term  Calodromas  (which  has  been  previously  used 
in  Coleoptera)  to  Calopezus.  In  paper  92  a  new  subspecies 
from  the  western  mountain-ranges  of  the  U.S.^  in  winter  not 
uncommon  in  the  eastern  U.S.,  is  described  as  Lowia  curvi- 
rostra  bendirei.  Remarks  are  given  on  the  other  subspecies  of 
the  same  group,  amongst  which  is  included  L.  pityopsittacus  ! 
But  how  can  L.  pityojjsittacus  be  a  subspecies,  not  having  a 
distinct  geographical  distribution  ?  In  No.  93  Mr.  Ridgway 
shows  that  Anser  albatus  of  Cassin  =  A.  hyperboreus,  Pallas, 
and  proposes  to  call  the  larger  race  (which  Cassin  mistook 
for  the  true  A.  hyperboreus)  Chen  (or  Anser)  hyperboreus 
nivalis  (Forst.),  it  being  apparently  Anas  nivalis  of  Forster. 
In  No.  91  Mr.  Ridgway  considers  the  two  birds  named  in 
the  title  and  Empidonax  rubicundus,  Cab.^  to  be  three  geo- 
graphical races,  of  which  E.  pallescens  is  from  the  western 
and  E.  fulvifrons  from  the  eastern  side  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, while  E.  rubicundus  is  from  Southern  Mexico.  In 
No.  95  D'Aubenton's  PI.  Enl.  386.  fig.  1  is  stated  to  re- 
present the  Mexican  House-Finch  [Carpodacus  hcemorrhous), 
which  should  therefore  be  called  C.  mexicanus,  being  the 
Fringilla  mexicana,  Miiller,  and  Emberiza  mexicana,  Bodd. 

96.  Salvadori's  List  of  his  Works. 

[Elenco  degli  Scritti  di  Tommaso  Salvadori.     1863-1884.] 

The  original  contributions  and  works  of  our  valued  Foreign 
Member  during  the  last  twenty-one  years  are  nearly  150  in 
number;  and  to  these  may  be  added  four  important  trans- 
lations of  such  authors  as  Van  der  Hoeven^  Pokorny,  A.  E. 
Brehm,  and  Paul  Bert. 

97.  Salvadori  on  a  Falcon  new  to  Italy. 

[Intorno  ad  una  Specie  di  Falco  uuova  per  la  Fauna  Italian  a,  Nota 

SER.  V. VOL.   II.  2  L 


462  JRecently  published  Ornithological  Works. 

di  Tommaso  Salvadoii.     Atti  d.  R.  Accad.  d.  Scienze  d.  Torino,     Vol. 
xix.  p.  343.] 

This  Falcon  is  the  bird  figured  by  Dr.  Martorelli,  shot  near 
Sassari,  Sardinia,  in  June  1883.  It  was  sent  to  Mr,  J.  H. 
Gurney  for  his  opinion,  and  was  pronounced  to  be  Falco 
pufiicus,  Levaillant.  Dr.  Salvadori  discusses  the  intricate 
question  of  tbe  synonymy  of  this  species,  so  frequently  con- 
founded with  its  congeners. 


98.  Saunders's  Edition  of  YarrelVs  '  Birds.' 

[A  ffistory  of  British  Birds.  By  the  late  William  Yarrell,  V.P.L.S., 
F.Z.S.  Fourth  Edition.  Revised  to  the  end  of  the  Second  Volume  by 
Alfred  Newton,  M.A.,  F.R.S. ;  continued  by  Howard  Saunders,  F.L.S., 
r.Z.S.    Parts  XXI.-XXV.  January-September,  1884.] 

Part  XXI.  contains  the  remainder  of  the  Limicolse  and 
some  of  the  GavijB,  and  Pts.  XXII.  and  XXIII.  the  rest  of 
the  latter  family,  concluding  Vol.  III.  In  deference  to  the 
sequence  observed  in  former  Editions,  and  to  existing  pre- 
judices, Pt.  XXIV.  opens  with  the  Petrels,  followed  by  some 
of  the  Alcidse,  and  Pt.  XXV.  ends  with  the  Steganopodes, 
leaving  only  the  Herodiones  and  the  Anatidae  to  complete 
the  work. 


99.  Seebohm's  '  British  Birds  and  their  Eggs.' 

[A  History  of  British  Birds,  with  Coloured  Illustrations  of  their  Eggs. 
By  Henry  Seebohm,    Parts  H.-IV,     Royal  8vo.     London:  1883-84.] 

Mr.  Seebohm^s  fourth  part,  which  was  issued  in  July  last, 
completes  the  second  volume  of  his  '  History  of  British  Birds 
and  their  Eggs,'  a  work  which  it  is  not  necessary  for  us  to 
commend  to  ornithologists.  In  spite  of  what  we  must 
venture  to  call  some  eccentricities,  Mr.  Seebohm's  book  is  full 
of  interest.  Some  of  the  information  conveyed  has,  perhaps, 
the  charm  of  novelty ;  e.  g.,  that  the  Common  Partridge  has,  in 
the  eastern  counties  of  England,  "  been  partially  exterminated 
by  the  Red-legged  Partridge,  but  still  occurs  locally  in  these 
counties.''     Later  on  we  are  told  that  in  the  eastern  counties 


Recently  published  Ornithological  Works.  463 

the  Red-legged  Partridge  "  has  more  or  less  succeeded  in 
driving  out  the  resident  species/'  But,  speaking  generally, 
Mr.  Seebohm's  large  experience  in  the  field  entitles  him  to  a 
respectful  hearing,  and  will  secure  his  book  a  very  large 
circulation  amongst  the  students  of  the  British  Avifauna. 


100.  Selys-Long champs  on  the  Tits  (Parinte) . 

[Considerations  sur  le  Genre  M(5sange  {Partis).  Par  M.  Edm.  de 
Selys-Longchamps.     Bidl.  Soc.  Zool.  de  France,  1884,  p.  32.] 

In  this  important  monographical  notice  of  the  Parinae, 
the  author  has  given  a  synopsis  of  the  species,  subspecies, 
and  races  which  compose  the  group,  pointing  out  with  ad- 
mirable clearness  the  salient  features  of  each.  This  key  has 
been  translated  by  Canon  Tristram,  and  will  be  found  on 
p.  395  of  the  present  volume  of  *  The  Ibis.' 

101.  Sharpe's  '  Birds  of  South  Africa.' 

[The  Birds  of  South  Africa.  By  E.  L.  Layard,  F.Z.S.  New  edition, 
thoroughly  revised  and  augmented,  by  R.  Bowdler  Shai-pe,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.     Part  VI.     London:  Quaritch,  April  1884.] 

We  heartily  congratulate  Mr.  Sharpe  upon  the  issue  of 
the  final  number  of  his  New  Edition  of  the  '  Birds  of  South 
Africa.'  As  completed  the  work  forms  a  portly  volume  of 
890  pages  and  twelve  coloured  plates,  and  forms  a  most 
acceptable  Hand-book  for  the  student  of  South-African 
Ornithology.  The  species  included  in  the  area  treated  of, 
which  extends  on  the  east  as  far  north  as  Zambesi,  and  to 
the  Quanza  River  on  the  west,  are  812  in  number. 

102.  Taczanowski's  Ornithology  of  Peru. 

[Ornithologie  du  Perou.  Par  Ladislas  Taczanowski.  Tome  i.  Royal 
8vo.     Rennes :  1884.    542  pp.] 

We  are  much  pleased  to  receive  the  first  portion  of  this 
.■aborious  undertaking.  It  commences  by  a  dedication  to 
Count  Constantin  Branicki,  by  whose  liberal  assistance  two 
well-known  travellers  have  amassed  the  vast  material  upon 


464  Recently  published  Ornitholoylcal  Works. 

which  the  work  is  based,  A  very  interesting  introduction 
by  one  of  these  travellers  (Mr.  Stolzraann)  gives  us  an  in- 
structive general  account  of  the  physical  divisions  of  the 
Peruvian  Republic^  and  enumerates  some  of  the  special 
ornithic  forms  by  which  they  are  characterized.  The  syste- 
matic portion  of  the  work  commences  with  the  Birds  of  Prey, 
and,  besides  the  Caprimulgidte,  Trochilidse,  and  Cypselidse, 
treats  of  various  families  of  Passeres.  Altogether  332  species 
are  spoken  of,  but  M.  Taczanowski  tells  us  that  more  than 
1000  Peruvian  species  are  represented  by  specimens  in  the 
Warsaw  Museum.  Lurocalis  7'iffiventris  is  described  as  new. 
M.  Taczanowski  will  excuse  us  if  we  remark  that,  although 
a  very  extensive  synonymy  is  not  necessary,  references  should 
be  given  to  all  species  based  upon  specimens  obtained  by  his 
great  collectors  Jelski  and  Stolzmann,  even  when,  as  is  the 
case  with  Dacnis  modesta  and  Dacnis  xanthophthalma,  they 
may  have  been  founded  on  female  specimens.  We  trust, 
also,  that  a  map  will  ultimately  be  given  with  all  the  col- 
lectors' localities  plainly  marked. 


103.   Tristram's  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Palestine. 

[The  Survey  of  Western  Palestine. — The  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Pales- 
tine. By  H.  B.  Tristram,  LL.D.,  D.l).,  F.E.S.  Publislied  by  tlie  Com- 
mittee of  the  Palestine  Exploration  Fund.     4to.     London,  1884.] 

With  great  pleasure  we  have  received  a  copy  of  this  long- 
expected  work,  which,  however,  it  is  only  right  to  say,  has 
been  delayed  from  causes  quite  beyond  the  author's  control. 
The  '  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Palestine '  has  now  been  issued  by 
the  Committee  of  the  Palestine  Exploration  Fund,  and  forms 
a  volume  of  their  Survey. 

The  Birds  of  Palestine,  according  to  Canon  Tristram,  con- 
sist of  348  species.  Each  of  these  is  named,  and  one  or  two 
references  are  added.  A  short  account  of  its  occurrence  in 
Palestine  is  then  given,  as  also  a  few  notes  on  its  general 
range.  The  Dipper  of  Lebanon  is  now,  we  believe  for  the 
first  time,  elevated  to  the  rank  of  a  species  as  Cinclus  rufi- 
ventris  (p.  51). 


Letters,  Announcements,  S^c.  465 

The  following  species  are  well  figured  : — 

Erithacus  gutturalis.  Petronia  bracliydactyla, 

Cinnyris  osea.  Amydrus  tristrami. 

Serinus  canouicus.  Caprimulgus  tamaricis. 

Passer  moabiticus.  Plotus  levaillantii. 


XLVIII. — Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

We  have  received  the  following  letters  addressed  to  the 
Editors  of 'The  Ibis  :'  — 

Northrepps  Hall,  Norwich, 
June  30th,  1884. 

Sirs, — I  beg  to  subjoin  an  extract  from  a  letter  addressed 
to  me,  under  date  of  12th  May  last,  by  Mr.  K.  H.  Bennett^ 
of  Ivanhoe_,  New  South  Wales.  The  information  it  contains 
relative  to  the  habits  of  two  of  the  scarcest  A  ustralian  Birds 
of  Prey  will,  I  think,  be  of  interest  to  the  readers  of  '  The 
Ibis.''     Mr.  Bennett  writes  : — 

"  I  have  two  skins  of  Aquila  [Nisaetus]  morphnoides ,  one 
in  the  down,  the  other  almost  able  to  fly,  obtained  from 
separate  nests  last  November;  this  bird  seldom  lays  more 
than  one  egg ;  I  have  occasionally  found  two,  but  such  cases 
are  rare. 

"  In  January  last  I  found  a  nest  of  Gypoictinia  melano- 
sternon,  in  which  was  one  young  one;  and  amongst  the 
remains  of  various  animals  scattered  beneath  the  nest  I 
counted  21  rabbit-skulls,  4  bustards,  3  iguanas,  and  37 
jew-lizards,  besides  the  remains  (skulls  &c.)  of  a  number 
of  other  small  animals,  chiefly  birds.'^ 

Yours  &c., 

J.   H.  GURNEY. 


Northrepps  Hall,  Norwich, 
July  5th,  1884. 

Sirs,— In  '  The  Ibis '  for  1868,  p.  253,  I  suggested  the 
specific  name  of  australis  for  the  Ostrich  of  South  Africa,, 


466  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

and  at  p.  256  of  my  edition  of  Andersson's  '  Birds  of  Damara 
Land/  I  mentioned,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  A.  D.  Bartlett, 
that  the  skin  which  is  visible  on  the  "  thighs  and  other  bare 
parts  "  of  the  Southern  Ostrich  ''  is  invariably  bluish,  ex- 
cepting the  angle  of  the  gape,  which  is  flesh-coloured,  as  are 
also  the  cere  and  scutellations  of  the  tarsi  and  ket."  These 
peculiarities  are  very  similar  to  those  described  by  Dr.  Finsch 
{supra,  p.  352)  as  characteristic  of  the  Ostrich  lately  an- 
nounced as  distinct,  and  seem  to  make  it  probable  that 
Struthio  molybdophanes  may  prove  to  be  identical  with  S. 

australis. 

Yours  &c., 

J.  H.  GURNEY. 


Ridgway  Ornitliological  Club,  Chicago, 
June  5th,  1884, 

Sirs, — The  following  may  be  worthy  a  place  in  ^The 
Ibis':— 

The  Eidgway  Ornithological  Club  of  Chicago  held  its 
regular  meeting  June  5th.  The  Club  was  reorganized  under 
its  new  Charter  as  an  incorporation,  and  officers  for  one  year 
elected  as  follows  : — 

President :  B.  T.  Gault. 

Vice-President  and  Treasurer:  Geo.  Frean  Morcom. 
Secretary:  H.  K.  ^oale. 
Curator:  Jos.  L.  Hancock. 
Librarian  :  F.  L.  Rice. 
Mr.  Coale  read  a  paper  on  the  Blue  Mountain-Parrot  of 
Australia,  exhibiting  specimens  of  the  birds  and  a  set  of  eggs 

laid  in  captivity. 

Yours  &c., 

H.  K.  Coale, 
Secretary. 


Ashridgewood,  Wokingham,  Berks, 
July  20th,  1884. 

Sirs, — There  is  a  slight  clerical  error  in  our  paper  on  the 
variations  of  So^icola  monticola   in   '  The  Ibis '  for   1883, 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  467 

p.  336,  line  13,  wlncli  has  unfortunately  reappeared  in  Mr. 
Sharpens  new  edition  of  Layard's  '  Birds  of  South  Africa/ 
p.  820 ;  and  as  this  might  mislead  any  one  referring  to  the 
question,  I  take  this  opportunity  of  correcting  our  mistake. 

Instead  of  "  We  consider  stages  6  and  7  to  be  of  about 
the  same  period,  &c.,^^  the  paragraph  should  read  "  We  con- 
sider stages  5  and  6,  kc."  It  is  a  very  small  correction,  but 
an  important  one. 

Yours  &c., 

Savile  G.  Reid. 


Riddagshaiisen,  Brunswick, 
July  31,  1884. 

Sirs, — I  have  just  received  from  Dr.  Platen,  the  well- 
known  explorer  of  the  Moluccas,  whose  ornithological  collec- 
tions have  for  many  years  come  to  me,  a  letter  from  Rurakan, 
a  village  in  the  Minahassa  district  of  Celebes,  in  which  he 
informs  me  that  he  has  just  forwarded  a  collection  of  666 
bird-skins,  referable  to  about  110  species,  which  he  has  col- 
lected in  the  island  of  Waigiou,  together  Avith  a  considerable 
number  of  eggs  belonging  thereto.  A  collection  from  Hal- 
mahera  and  the  little  island  of  Gebe  will  shortly  follow. 

As  Mr.  Wallace  only  obtained  examples  of  73  species  in 
Waigiou,  it  is  probable  that  Dr.  Platen^s  collection  may  con- 
tain many  new  species.  Dr.  Platen  does  not  give  further 
information,  except  that  the  series  of  Diphyllodes  wilsoni  and 
Psittacula  diophthalmica  are  of  great  interest. 

Yours  &c,, 

A.  Nehrkorn. 


Nuneham  Park,  Abingdon, 
July  31,  1884. 

Sirs, — Having  been  confined  to  the  house  by  illness,  I 
have  had  leisure  to  watch  the  operations  of  the  friends  of  my 
youth,  the  birds.  The  chief  drawing-room  looks  towards 
the  south ;  it  is  situate  on  the  first  floor,  and  in  front  of  it  is 
a  broad  balcony,  with  a  flight  of  steps  leading  down  to  a 
terrace.     A  corridor,  connecting  one  of  the  wings  with  the 


468  Letters,  Announcements,  &;c. 

body  of  the  house,  also  opens  on  to  the  same  balcony.  The 
sides  o£  the  corridor  and  of  the  balcony,  which  is  a  stone  one, 
and  reaches  down  to  the  ground,  are  covered  with  Wistaria, 
roses,  briars,  pomegranate,  jasmines,  and  other  creepers. 
In  these  shelters  the  following  nests  were  constructed  this 
summer : — two  Flycatchers',  two  Water-Wagtails',  a  Thrush's, 
and  a  Linnet's.  I  may  say  that  all  the  nests  were  within  easy 
reaching  distance  from  one  point  or  another. 

At  3.30  P.M.  on  the  16th  of  May  I  was  looking  out  of  the 
window  and  perceived  a  Cuckoo  alight  upon  the  bough  of  a 
large  wych-elm  just  beyond  the  terrace. 

The  window  I  was  sitting  at  was  a  very  large  plate-glass 
window,  some  8  or  10  feet  high,  and  the  Cuckoo  seemed  to 
be  aware  of  my  presence  there.  I  accordingly  withdrew  my 
wheel-chair  out  of  the  bird's  sight.  After  the  space  of  about 
ten  minutes  the  Cuckoo  made  a  slanting  swoop,  like  that  of 
a  Hawk,  and  appeared  as  if  it  v/as  coming  straight  into  my 
face.  Its  course,  however,  took  it  about  six  feet  lower,  and 
it  went  into  a  Wagtail's  nest  which  was  built  in  a  sweet- 
briar.  It  is  remarkable  that,  although  the  Cuckoo  remained 
there  for  twenty  minutes,  the  Wagtails  never  made  their 
appearance.  The  Flycatchers,  however,  arrived  after  the 
Cuckoo  had  been  on  the  nest  about  five  minutes,  and  appeared 
at  first  to  be  much  agitated,  but  gradually  ceased  to  trouble 
themselves  about  the  matter.  When  the  Cuckoo  went  to  the 
nest  two  eggs  had  been  laid ;  it  left  the  nest  much  disturbed. 
The  owners  of  the  nest  reappeared  about  an  hour  afterwards, 
but  they  never  seemed  to  take  to  it  again.  Four  days 
elapsed,  and  the  Wagtails  had  clearly  deserted  their  nest.  I 
determined  tlien  to  try  an  experiment,  and  to  test  the 
accuracy  of  the  statement  made  by  some  of  our  great  orni- 
thological authorities,  that  the  Linnet  will  bring  up  the 
young  Cuckoo.  By  myself  this  statement  has  been  always 
received  with  suspicion,  on  account  of  the  difference  in  diet 
between  the  Linnet  and  the  Cuckoo.  Into  the  nest,  then,  of 
the  neighbouring  Linnet  the  Cuckoo's  egg  was  placed.  In 
this  nest  were  five  new-laid  eggs  ;  two  were  removed  to  give 
more  room.     In  due  time  the  young  Cuckoo  was  hatched — 


Letters,  Announcements,  H^c.  469 

that  is  to  say,  in  thirteen  days.  By  the  third  day  the  young 
Linnets^  three  in  number,  were  all  expelled  by  the  intruder ; 
two  were  replaced  whilst  yet  alive,  but  were  again  expelled, 
and  the  young  Cuckoo  reigned  alone.  Its  life,  however,  like 
that  of  other  usurpers,  did  not  seem  altogether  a  happy  one ; 
by  the  end  of  the  week  it  had  ceased  to  open  its  wide  impa- 
tient mouth,  and  appeared  to  die  of  starvation.  The  old 
Linnets  perched  mournfully  on  a  rail  in  front  of  the  window,  as 
if  perplexed  by  the  miscarriage  of  their  matrimonial  arrange- 
ments. In  order  to  test  the  parental  capabilities  of  the  birds, 
a  young  Greenfinch,  of  the  same  age  as  the  former  occupants 
of  the  nest,  was  given  to  the  Linnets  ;  this  bird,  living  on 
similar  food  as  its  foster-parents,  was  successfully  reared,  and 
in  time  took  its  flight.  As  far  as  a  single  instance  can  prove 
any  thing,  this  experiment  goes  to  show  that  the  Linnet  is 
not  capable  of  rearing  the  young  Cuckoo  :  of  course  corro- 
borative evidence  would  be  required ;  but,  for  my  part,  I 
should  have  been  surprised  if  it  had  been  otherwise.  The 
internal  construction  of  insectivorous  and  graminivorous 
animals  is  so  different  (I  mean  of  those  which  feed  wholly 
on  one  species  of  food  or  the  other),  that,  but  for  the  asser- 
tions of  distinguished  naturalists,  I  should  have  conceived  no 
doubt  on  this  subject  could  have  existed. 
I  give  my  story  for  what  it  is  worth. 

Yours  &c., 

E.  N.  Harcourt. 


The  Grove,  Oldfield,  Altrincham, 
August  llth,  1884. 

Sirs, — I  wish  to  point  out  that  the  name  Anthus  pallescens, 
Socage,  Jorn.  Lisb.  1874,  p.  152,  is  preoccupied  by  Vig.  & 
Horsf.  Tr.  Linn.  Soc.  xv.  p.  2.29^  and  I  therefore  propose 
that  it  should  be  changed  to  Anthus  bocagii. 

This  fact  seems  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  Mr. 
Sharpe  in  his  new  edition  of  '  Layard^s  Birds  of  South 
Africa.^ 

Yours  &c., 

Francis  Nicholson. 

ser.  v. vol.  ii.  2  m 


470  Letters,  Announcements,  &;c. 

Additions  to  the  Collection  of  Birds  in  the  British  Museum 
of  Natural  History  in  1883. — The  total  number  of  accessions 
during  the  year  1883  was  992  ;  69  of  them  were  of  species 
new  to  the  collection,  and  27  were  types.  The  following  were 
the  most  valuable  acquisitions  : — 

Additions  to  the  groups  of  British  Birds  were  made  by 
Lord  Walsingham,  viz.  Missel- Thrush,  Water-Ouzel,  Green 
and  Golden  Plovers,  Dabchick ;  and  by  Duncan  Parker,  Esq., 
two  nests  of  the  Red-backed  Shrike,  with  old,  young,  and  eggs. 

Twenty-four  birds  from  Brighton ;  presented  by  R.  B. 
Sharpe,  Esq. 

A  specimen  of  the  Tawny  Pipit  [Anthus  campestris) ,  caught 
at  Brighton  in  October  1882;  presented  by  Messrs.  G. 
Swaysland  and  Sons. 

Seventy-four  specimens  of  Wading-hirds,  amongst  which 
were  three  Sabine's  Snipes  and  many  other  British- killed 
Limicolje,  from  the  collection  of  J.  E.  Harting,  Esq.,  F.L.S. 

Forty  birds  from  Japan  ;  purchased. 

Forty-four  birds  from  the  Caucasus,  Central  Asia,  and 
Siberia,  including  Tetraogallus  caucasicus,  Phasianus  chyso-^ 
melas,  and  many  other  species  new  to  the  collection ; 
purchased. 

Twenty-three  birds  from  Florida ;  presented  by  Walter 
Dismore,  Esq. 

Twenty-three  skins  from  the  Gold  Coast;  presented  by 
Captain  Moloney. 

Thirty  skins  collected  by  Captain  C.  T.  Bingham  in  the 
Thoungyun  Valley,  Tenasserim,  comprising  many  species 
new  to  the  collection,  such  as  Anthocincla  phayrii,  Gampso- 
rhynchus  torquatus,  Pomatorhinus  tickelli,  &c. ;  purchased. 

Eleven  specimens  of  Hornbills  and  Raptorial  Birds  from 
Sumatra;  collected  by  Mr.  H.  O.  Forbes,  and  presented  by 
Francis  Nicholson,  Esq. 

Forty  skins  of  Birds  from  the  Nilghiris  and  the  Brahma- 
gherry  Hills ;  presented  by  W.  Davison,  Esq. 

Seventy-seven  specimens  from  the  Lawas  River  and  from 
Kina  Balu,  in  Borneo,  and  from  the  Sooloo  Islands,  collected 
by  Mr.  F.  W.  Burbidge,  and  containing  the  types  of  Tany- 


Letters,  Announcements,  ^c.  471 

gnathus  burhidgii,  Gallus  stramineicollis,  and  Buchanga  siig- 
matops  ;  presented  by  H.  VeitcLj  Esq. 

Eight  species  of  Birds  from  the  Lawas  River,  N.W. 
Borneo ;  presented  by  W.  Pretyman,  Esq. 

Thirteen  rare  species  from  Java  and  the  Molucca  Islands, 
comprising  eight  new  to  the  collection;  presented  by  the 
late  Director  of  the  Leiden  Museum. 

Seventy-four  skins  from  Tenasserim ;  presented  by  Captain 
Bingham. 

Twenty-two  specimens  collected  by  Mr.  A.  G oldie  in  the 
Astrolabe  Mountains,  S.E.,  New  Guinea;  amongst  them  the 
type  specimens  of  a  new  Paradise-bird  [Paradisea  decora) 
with  other  rarities ;  purchased . 

An  example  of  the  rare  Bird  of  Paradise,  Diphyllodes 
guilielmi-tertii ;  purchased. 

The  types  of  Drepanornis  cei^vinicauda  (Sclsiter) ,froiai  S.E, 
New  Guinea ;  presented  by  Dr.  Bennett,  of  Sydney. 

An  example  of  the  Tooth -billed  Bower-bird  {Scenopceus 
dentirostris)  from  Queensland;  presented  by  E.  P.  Ramsay, 
Esq. 

[From  the  Parliamentary  Report  of  the  Brit.  Mus.  1884. 
We  have  ventured  to  correct  some  obvious  misprints. — Edd.] 


Sheep-slaughter  by  Nestor  notabilis. — The  '  Canterbury 
Times  ^  of  March  19th,  1884,  gives  the  following  extract 
from  a  letter  received  from  Mr.  R.  Bouchier,  Sheep  Inspector 
at  Queenstown,  Lake  District: — "I  was  last  week  on  a 
station  on  "Wanaka  Lake,  where  a  mob  of  hoggets  were 
attacked  by  Keas,  and  in  one  night  no  less  than  200  sheep 
were  killed.  The  shepherds  killed  most  of  the  birds,  however. 
The  bonus  for  the  destruction  of  Keas  gives  a  great  impetus 
to  men  to  destroy  the  birds,  but  sometimes  it  is  hard-earned 
money.  The  ranger  of  one  run  in  this  district  gives  con- 
tractors 45.  per  beak,  and  his  shepherds  3*.  per  beak ;  and 
the  consequence  is  that,  this  shearing,  hardly  a  sheep  was 
marked,  and  the  death-rate  was  reduced  by  nearly  one-half. 
The  total  number  of  beaks  delivered  at  my  office  was  1574.," 


472  Letters,  Announcements,  ^c. 

Bird-notes  from  Tasmania. — At  the  meeting  of  the  Royal 
Society  of  Tasmania  on  June  9th,  1884,  Mr.  Morton  exhi- 
bited a  Freckled  Duck  [Anas  navosa),  shot  at  Ross,  on  April 
12th.  This  species  of  Duck  was  found  in  Victoria,  South 
Australia,  and  Western  Australia,  but  had  never  before  been 
reported  as  found  in  Tasmania. 

Colonel  Legge  strongly  advocated  the  formation  of  a  com- 
plete collection  of  Tasmanian  bird-skins,  carefully  labelled, 
locality,  &c.  He  stated  he  was  of  opinion  that  there  were 
yet  one  or  two  new  species  of  birds  in  the  back-country 
w^hich  had  hitherto  been  overlooked  by  collectors  and  others. 
He  trusted  the  Council  of  the  Society  would  endeavour  to  have 
air-tight  cabinets  made  for  such  a  collection,  similar  to  those 
used  in  the  British  and  other  leading  museums. 

The  Curator  of  the  Museum  said  he  was  glad  that  Colonel 
Legge  had  brought  the  matter  before  the  Fellows,  and  referred 
to  the  excellent  skin-collection  the  Australian  Museum, 
Sydney,  possessed.  He  said  a  great  deal  might  be  done  by 
their  country  friends  in  forwarding  to  the  Museum  specimens 
of  animals  or  birds,  which,  if  not  actually  wanted  for  the 
Museum  collection,  would  be  valuable  for  exchanges  with 
other  museums. 


We  are  glad  to  learn  that  our  esteemed  member  Mr. 
William  Foster  (not  Forster),  whose  death  our  Secretary 
announced  at  the  last  Annual  Meeting  of  the  B.  O.  U.  {supra,. 
p.  362),  is  alive  and  well. — Edd. 


INDEX. 


Abrornis  albosiipercili- 

aris,  416. 
Acanthidops,  241. 

bairdi,  240,  241. 

Acanthisitta,  393. 
Acaiithyllis  leucopygialis, 

107. 

sylvatica,  107. 

Accentor  alpiuus,  38. 

altaicus,  418. 

coUaris,  371. 

erythropygiiis,  38. 

fulvescens,  244. 

jerdoni,  418. 

modularis,  372. 

monticola,  418. 

nipalensis,  38,  418. 

rubidus,  37. 

,  var.  feryidus, 

37. 
Accipiter  astiir  /3,  348. 

candid  is.siiu  us,  349. 

nianilleusis,  330, 

332. 

nisoides,  331. 

nisus,  97,  313,  384, 

406. 

steveu8oni,330,  331. 

Acredula  eaudata,  118, 

141,  337. 

ii-byi,  372. 

rosea,  37,  118. 

trivirgata,  337. 

Acridotheres  cristatellus, 

266. 

fuscus,  419. 

tristis,  419. 

Acrocephalus  agricola, 

416. 

arundinaceus,  426. 

brunnescens,  416. 

djbowskii,  109. 

orientalis,  261. 

palustris,  426. 

SER.  V. VOL.   II. 


Acrocephalus  pbraginitis, 

141. 

stentoreus,  426. 

• streperus,  119. 

turdoides,  119,  141, 

426. 
Actitis  glai'eola,  424. 

hjpoleucus,  424. 

Aedon  galactodes,  82. 
^gialitis,  457. 

cantiana,  322,  389. 

curouica,  237,  238. 

forbesi,  114. 

geoffroyi,  322. 

■ hartingi,  267. 

hiaticula,  99,  389. 

minnta,  237,  238. 

nigris,  114. 

peroui,  322. 

semipalmata,  168. 

^githaliscus  erythroce- 

pbalus,  418. 
jEgithalus  consobrinus, 

37. 

pendulinus,  37, 142. 

iEgotheles  bennetti,  354. 
■ ■  plumifera,  211, 

354. 
iEluracedus  arfakiauus, 

354. 
melanocephalus, 

211,  354. 

melanotis,  354. 

^thopyga,  325. 

cara,  325. 

flagrans,  210. 

horsfieldi,  325. 

miles,  411. 

nicobarica,  325. 

Agelceinae,  1. 
Agelseus,  2,  9,  14,  162. 

assimilis,  9,  10. 

chrysocarpiis,  13. 

cyanopus,  10,  13. 


Agela-us  gubernator,  9, 
10. 

humeralis,  9,  11. 

icterocephalus,  14. 

imthurni,  10,  13. 

nigerrimus,  9,  10, 

14. 

■  pliceniceus,  9,  10, 

11. 

,  var.  assimilis, 

10. 

thilius,  9,  12. 

tricolor,  9,  11. 

xanthomus,  9,  12. 

Agelaioides,  3. 

Agelaius,  9. 

badius,  8. 

chopi,  163. 

chrysopterus,  12. 

cyanopus,  13. 

fringillarius,  8. 

frontalis,  16. 

gubernator,  11. 

guiraburo,  20. 

longipes,  14. 

jnelanicterus,  19. 

militaris,  22. 

nigerrimus,  14. 

— — ■  pboenieeus,  10. 

,  var.  guberna- 
tor, 11. 

,  var.  tricolor, 

11. 

pustulatus,  167. 

ruficapillus,  17. 

ruficollis,  17. 

subalaris,  163. 

sulcirostris,  164. 

thilius,  12. 

tricolor,  11. 

virescens,  20. 

xanthocephalus,  14. 

Agelasticus,  9. 

thilius,  9,  12. 

2n 


474 


IXDEX. 


Agrodroma  sordida,  417. 
Alauda  arborea,  377. 

arvensis,  41, 98,144, 

377. 
,  var.  ccelivox. 


41. 


41. 


var.  japonica, 


■ blakistoni,  347. 

cristata,  144,  377. 

gulgula,  421. 

magna,  25. 

Alca  iinpennis,  122,  204. 

torda,  3'J2. 

Alcedo  beugalensis,  2(il, 

318,  409,  428. 

■ ispida,  97,  379,  428. 

melanura,  332. 

pallasii,  429. 

Alcyone  cjanopectus,  332, 

333. 
Alseonax  latirostris,  412. 

luurina,  339. 

Aniazilia  cupreicauda, 

452. 

viridiventris,  452. 

Aiublyrbaniplius,  2,  17, 

18. 

bicolor,  18. 

holosericeus,  17, 18. 

ruber,  18. 

Amblyrliynchus,  18. 

holosericeus,  18. 

Amuiodromus,  44. 

petenicus,  44. 

Amydrus  blythi,  107. 

tristrami,  465. 

Anas  acuta,  270. 
boscas,  147,  386, 

425. 

•  boschas,  269. 

caryophyllacea,  271. 

clypeata,  270. 

crecoa,  270. 

bvperboreus,  4G0, 

461.' 

niarmcJrata,  90. 

nsevosa,  472. 

nivalis,  461. 

peiielope,  270. 

zonorliyncha,  269. 

Anorthura  j)allescens, 

109. 
Anous  leucocapillus,  123. 
Anser  albatus,  460,  461. 

albilrons,  269. 

brachyrhynchus, 

269. 

cygiioidcs,  32. 

ervtlinipus,  269. 


Auser  grandis,  269. 

hyperboreus,  32. 

nivalis,  461. 

segetuin,  269. 

serrirostris,  269. 

Antenor  unicinctu.s,  436. 
Antbocincla  phayrii, 

470. 
Anthothreptes  celebensis, 

325. 

cblorogastei',  325. 

coUaris,  325. 

bypodila,  325. 

malaccensis,  325. 

rhodoliBina,  325. 

zainbesiaua,  325. 

Authus,  109. 

agilis,  417. 

blakistoni,  417. 

bocagii,  469. 

brachyurus,  231. 

c;impestris,  470. 

cervinus,  109,  110, 

417. 
japonicus,  38,  109, 

262. 
ludovicianus,  38, 

262. 

obscupus,  102,  374. 

palleseens,  469. 

pratensis,  98,  374. 

rufus,  432. 

spinoletta,  2(52. 

spipoletta,  374. 

stejnegeri,  109. 

trivialis,  374,  417. 

Anuropsis    ciuereiceps, 

321. 
Apalis  sharpii,  45. 
A23hobus,  149,  Kw. 

chopi,  1()3,  164. 

sulcirostris,  l{i4. 

Aptenodyte.«,  112. 

longirostris,  112. 

patagonica,  209. 

tteniatus,  112. 

Aquila,  145,  236. 

adalberti,  236,  383. 

bit'asciata,  302,  303, 

304,  305. 
bouelli,  95,  307. 

chrysaetos,   299, 

300. 

clirysaetus,  43,  383, 

406. 
clanga,  14.5,  305, 

307,  383,  425. 

fulva,  299,  300. 

glitschii,  302,  303. 

304,  305. 


Aquila  heliaca,  126,  Mo, 

236. 
imperialis,    236, 

301. 

lagopus,  43. 

■ miiuita,  308. 

mogilnik,  407. 

niorphnoides,  465. 

nievia,    237,    303, 

306,  307,  425.       ■ 

najvioides,  304. 

nobilis,  299,  300. 

orientalis,  302,  303, 

304,  30(>. 

pelagica,  183. 

• peunata,  145,  308, 

383. 
poniarina,  237. 

verreauxi,  221. 

wahlbergi,  220. 

Araclinechthra  asiatica, 

411. 

ilioloplius,  341. 

• pulioptera,  341. 

Arachnothera,  328. 
Arauiides   cayennensis, 

440. 
Aramus    scolopaceus, 

440. 
Arboricola    torqueola, 

423. 
Archibuteo    aquilinus, 

243. 

-  lagopus,  298. 

strophiatus,  243. 

Ai'dea  alba,  146. 

bubulcus,  135,  146, 

233,  429. 

• cserulea,  168. 

calceolata,  122. 

caudidissiiua,  168y 

438. 
cinerea,  74,  91, 146, 

268,  425. 

cocoi,  438. 

comata,  429. 

garzetta,  146,  268. 

gularis,  177. 

intermedia,  2(>8. 

melanolopha,  325. 

minuta,  146. 

nycticorax,  268. 

prasinosceles,  268. 

purpurea,  91,  146. 

ralloides,  146. 

sacra,  176. 

sibilatrix,  438. 

virescens,  168. 

Ardeola  leucoptera,  ^5. 
prasinosceles,  35. 


INDEX. 


475' 


Ardetta  flavicollis,  268, 

335. 

minuta,  205. 

podiceps,  233. 

sinensis,  268. 

Argus,  210. 

rheinardi,  209. 

Argusianus  argus,  104. 
Argya  amauroura,  108. 
Artamides  sumatrensis, 

319, 

unimodus,  342. 

Artamus  leucogaster,  355. 
musschenbroeki, 

355,  4.59. 
Asio  aecipitrinus,  380. 

■ brachyotus,  97. 

otus,  97,  380,  407. 

Astrilda  nonnula,  342. 
Astur  atricapillus,  207, 

348. 

badius,  40('). 

brevipes,  313. 

candidissimus,  207, 

313. 
palumbarius,  312, 

313,  348,  349,  406. 
Asturina  magnirostris, 

436. 
AsLurinula  monogram- 
mica,  219. 
Athene  cuculoides,  408. 

noctua,  92,  380. 

whitelyi,  261. 

Attagen  minor,  3.3. 
Attagis   chimborazensis, 

108. 

Bfeopipo  kisuki,  101. 
Balitniceps,  344. 
Barbatula  extoni,  226. 
Bernicla  breuta,  32. 
,  Yar.  nigricans, 

32. 

canadensis,  175. 

canagica,  105. 

liutebiusi,  175. 

leucopareia,  175. 

nigricans,  175. 

Bonasa  betulina,  387. 
Botaurus  stellaris,  268, 

425. 
Brachypternus  aurantius, 

410. 
Bracbyrhamphus  kitt- 

litzi,  31,  174. 

marmoratus,  30. 

wrangeli,  31. 

Brachyuru.s     sordidus, 

321.' 


Bradyornis  grisea,  111. 
Broderipiis  palawanensis, 

319. 
Buarremon    personatus, 

443. 
Bubo,  42. 

blakistoni,  42,  183. 

ignavus,  145,  380. 

maximus,  42. 

sinensis,  183. 

Bubulcua  coromandus, 

35,  42,  183,  407. 
Bucco  bieinctus,  4on. 
Buceros  atratus,  359. 
Buchanga     albirictus, 

412. 

cineracea,  318. 

leucopbaja,  318. 

longicavidata,  412. 

stigmatops,  471. 

Budytes  calcaratus,  417. 

flava,  232. 

taivanus,  240. 

Burnesia  gracilis,  416. 

melanocepbala, 

340. 

Butalis  grisola,  457. 

sibirica,  37. 

Butastur  indicus,  260. 
Buteo,  297. 

eanescens,  407. 

cirteusis,  297. 

desertoruin,  297, 

426. 

ferox,  298. 

lagopus,  383. 

menetriesi,  425. 

plumipes,  407. 

• •  vulgaris,  77,  145, 

260,  296,  297,  383, 

4.58. 
,  -var.  japoni- 

cus,  260. 
— —  vulpinus,  296,  297, 

458. 
Butio  kutteri,  335. 
Butorides  cyanurus,  439. 

javanicus,  35. 

macrorhynchus,  35. 

Cacatua  haematuropygia, 

316. 
Caccabis,  459. 

chukor,  423. 

magna,  244. 

rufa,  387. 

Cacicus  alaudarius,  25. 

chrysocarpus,  12. 

Oalacanthis      burtoni, 

420. 


Calamonastes    flsclieri, 

340. 
Calearius,  4.53. 
Caleadrella  baeiica,  85. 
Calliope  pectoralis,  41(>. 
Calliste,  208,  445. 

cyanoptera,  445. 

florida,  208. 

whitelyi,  44.5. 

Callolhrus,  3. 
Oalodromas,  460,  461. 
Calopezus,  461. 
Caloriiis   circumscripta, 

355,  499. 

crassa,  209. 

panayensis,  .321. 

Calyptophilus,  203. 
Campylopterus   hj'pery- 

thrus,  357,  443. 
Canipylorhvnchus  nucha- 

lis,  432.  " 
Capriraulgus  asgyptius, 

173. 

albonotatua,  409. 

asiaticus,  173. 

europ.'Bus,  79,  222. 

faberi,  458. 

indicus,  409. 

monticola,  409. 

ruficollis,    82,   92, 

174. 

tamarieis,  173,  465. 

Carduelis  caniceps,  420. 

■ ■  elegans,  142,  375. 

Carpococeyx   radiatus, 

360. 
Carpodacus,  234. 
erythrinus,   234, 

235,  420. 
haemorrhous,    460. 

461. 

mexicanus,  461. 

purpureus,  2,'J5. 

Carpodectes,  28. 

antoniaj,  27,  28. 

nitidus,  27,  28. 

Carpophaga  senea,  322. 

ianthina,  179. 

pinon   rubiensis, 

459. 
Cassicus  ater,  165. 

leucurus,  166. 

melanurus,  166. 

liiger,  165. 

palliatus,  165. 

persicus,  166,  43.S. 

pyrrhogaster,  16;!. 

Cassidix,  149,  164. 

mexicanus,  165. 

oryzivora,  164,  165. 


476 


INDEX. 


Cassidix  vieilloti,  165. 
Catamblyrhynchus,  240. 
Cathartes  atratus,  438. 

aura,  438. 

— —  pernigra,  437. 

pernigra,  437. 

—  urubitinga,  437. 
Centrococcyx  eurycercus, 

316. 
Centropus    nifipennis, 

411. 

senegalensis,  225. 

Centurus  striatus,  168. 
Oephalolepis   loclcligesi, 

442. 
Cephalopyrrhus   flarami- 

ceps,  418. 
CercLneis  cenchris,  292. 
sparverius   isabel- 

linus,  437. 
Ceriornis  melanocej)liala, 

422. 
Certhia   familiaris,   37, 

142,  239,  372. 
— — —  himalayana,  411. 

hodgsoni,  239. 

mandellii,  239. 

scaiidulaca,  239. 

Certhiola  caboti,  2US. 

luteola,  432. 

Ceryle  alcyon,  168. 

guttata,  409. 

maxima,  223. 

superciliosa  stricto- 

ptera,  461. 

torquata,  435. 

Cettia  cantaiLs,  39.  40. 

cantillaus,  39,  40. 

cautiu"ians,  261. 

sericea,  237. 

• stoliczkffi,  237. 

Ceyx  cyanopectus.  332. 

nielanura,  332. 

philippinensis,  332, 

333. 

rufidorsa,  318. 

Chti'tura  boehini.  111. 
Cbalcophanes,  153. 

barytus,  159. 

• brachypterus,  160. 

gundlacbii,  159. 

jamaiceusis,  162. 

lugubris,  160,  162. 

macrourus,  1.56. 

iiiajoi",  155. 

■ minor,  162. 

quisealup,  1.54. 

Chamaepelia    passprina, 

168. 
•.Charadrius.  213. 


Charadrius  asiaticus,  429. 

longipcB,  207. 

minor,  267. 

placidus,  267. 

pluvialis,  98,  388. 

xanthocheilus,  123. 

Cbaulelasnius  streperus, 

147,  425. 
Chelidon  blakistoni,  180. 

casbmiriensis,  408. 

■ — —  dasypus,  180. 

urbifa,  142,  374. 

Cben,  118. 

albatus,  118. 

ca^rulescens,  119. 

— byperboreus,  119. 

nivalis,  461. 

Cbera  progne,  218. 
Cbibia  brevirostris,  265. 

palawanensis,  318. 

pectoralis,  318. 

Chimarrhornis,  415. 

leucocephala,  415. 

Cbloropeta  massaica,339. 
Cblorophonia,  208. 

cyanodorsalis,  208. 

frontalis,  444. 

longipennis,  444. 

roraimje,  444. 

^iridis,  444. 

Cbloropipo,  447. 

flavicapilla,  447. 

imiformis,  447. 

Chlorothraupis   carmioli, 

208. 
Cbrvsococcyx   cupreus, 

224. 

lucidus,  123. 

Chrysocolapt.es  erytbro- 

cephalus,  317. 
Chrysomitris,  241. 

atrieeps,  43. 

notata,  44. 

spinescens,  43,  44. 

spiuoides,  420. 

spiuus,  375. 

Chrysomus,  15. 

flavus,  16. 

frontalis,  17. 

icterocephalus,  1.5. 

xanthopygius.  16. 

Cbrysopblegma    chloro- 

lophus,  410. 
Ciconia  alba,  146,  385. 

nigra,  98,  147,  3,'i7. 

Ciuclu.s  213. 

albicfJlis,  370. 

aquaticus,  118,  370. 

asiaticus,  413. 

melanogaster,  1J8. 


Cinclus  pallaei,  263. 

rufiventris,  464. 

Cinnyris  acik,  325. 
amethystina,   226, 

325. 

andamanica,  325. 

aurora,  321. 

bifasciata,    226, 

325. 

erythroceria,  325. 

faikensteini,  340. 

fiagrans,  .331. 

flammaxiUaris,  325. 

frenata,  325. 

■ j  ugularis,  325. 

kirki,  325. 

mariquensis,    226, 

325. 

microrbyncha,  325. 

osea,  465. 

osiris,  325. 

senegalensis,  325. 

talatala,  226. 

venusta,  325. 

Circaetus,  81. 

cinereus,  217,  218. 

gallicus,  294,  295, 

384. 

orientals,  294,  295. 

]>ectoralis,  218. 

Circus   jpruginosuB,    145, 

260,  315,  382. 

cineraceus,  383. 

cyaneus,    70,    74, 

382. 

macrurus,  218. 

melanoleueus,  330. 

pallidas,  70. 

spilonotus,  43,  261. 

Cisticola  aberrans,  226. 

•  brunneiceps,  40. 

cisticola,  40. 

scbcenicola,  261. 

smitbii,  226. 

Cittocicbla,  346. 
Cittocincla  tricolor,  346. 
Clytorhyncbus,  393,  396. 
Cnipolegus,  434. 
oreuocensis,   433, 

434. 

unicolor,  434. 

Coccotbraustes    mela- 

nurus,  266. 

vulgaris,  143. 

Coccystes  caifer,  224. 
Coecyzus   americanus, 

115,214. 

t-rvthrophtbalnius, 

1 1  5.  ' 

Cocliii;i  viridis,  36(1. 


INDEX. 


477 


Colaptes  mexicanus  satu- 

ratior,  4(50. 
Columba  intermedia,  421. 

leucocephala,  168. 

leuconota,  421. 

livia,  179. 

oenas,  386. 

•  palurabus,  386. 

rupestris,  242,  421. 

Colymbus    adarasi,    32, 

214,  346. 

glacialis,  214,  346. 

septentrionalis,  98, 

392. 
Conurus  euops,  168. 

weddelli,  1U8. 

Copsycbus  saularis,  415. 
Coracias  garrula,  144. 
Coraphites   leucopareia, 

339. 
Corone  pusilla,  318. 
Corvus    corax,    82,    144, 

207,  242,  347,  379. 
bericyaiius, 

207. 
kamtscbaticus, 

207. 
comix,  143,  379, 

458. 
corone,   98,   379, 

458. 

daiirieiis,  180. 

enca,  318. 

frugilegus,  98,  144, 

379. 

grebnitskii,  347. 

leraillanti,  265. 

macrorbyncbus, 

418. 

mexicanus,  165. 

monedula,  143. 

neglectus,  180. 

pusillus,  318. 

torquatus,  265. 

validissimus.  35.5. 

Corydalla  rufula,  417. 
Coryllis  galgulus,  111. 
Corytbaix,  124. 

bartlaubi,  339. 

scbuetti,  359. 

Cotile  pallida,  408. 

riparia,  142. 

rufigula,  339. 

rupestris,   68,   94, 

375,  408. 
Coturniculus,  44. 

dorsalis,  44. 

manimbe,   var.  dor- 
salis, 44. 
peruanus,  44. 


Coturnix  communis,  147, 

267,  387,  423. 
Crateropus,  46. 

atripennis,  48. 

bicolor,  48. 

bobndorfR,  359. 

bartlaubi,  48. 

baynesi,  48. 

bypostictus,  47,  48. 

jardinii,  46,   48, 

49. 

■ kirki,  46,  48,  49. 

leucocepbalus,  48. 

leucopygius,  48. 

melanops,  47,  49. 

•  platycercus,  47,  48. 

plebeius,  46,  47,  48, 

49. 

reinwardti,  46,  47. 

squamulatus,    45, 

48. 

tenebrosus,  47,  342. 

Crex  pratensis,  98,   148, 

388. 
Crotopbaga  ani,  435. 
Crvplolopba   cinereoca- 

JDilla,  412. 
Cuculus  canorus,  82,  144, 

223,  380,  410. 

fugax,  333. 

• himalayanus,  .36. 

bimalayensis,  410. 

byperythrus,  36. 

micropterus,  411. 

CuraBus,  2,  21. 

aterrimus,  21. 

Curruca  cinerea,  var.  per- 

sica,  427. 
Cursorius   cbalcopterus, 

232. 

■ gallicus,  124. 

Cyanecula  wolfi,  370. 
Cj'anistes  cyanuF,  458. 

flavipectus,  458. 

pleskei,  458. 

Cyanocorax  Tiolaceus, 

433. 
Cyanopica  cooki,  378. 
Cyanopolius  cyanus,  265. 
Cyanotbrus,  3. 
Cyclopsittacus  salvadorii, 

460. 
Cygnus  bewickii,  346. 

olor,  429. 

Cymocborea  leucorrboa, 

'392. 
Cvornis   rubeculoides, 

'413. 
Cypseloides  niger  bore- 
"alis,  .362. 


Cypselus  affinis,  409. 
apus,    144,    362, 

409. 

caffer,  222. 

melba,  102,  409. 

•  saxatilis,  103. 

Cyrtostomus  aurora,  321. 
melanocepbalus, 

326. 
Cyrtotes,  2,  9. 
— —  maxillaris,  9,  166. 

Dacnis  modesta,  464. 

viguieri,  208. 

xantbopbtbalma, 

464. 
Daulias  luscinia,  141, 

370. 

pbilomela,  141. 

Dendrobates  poioce- 

phalus,  201. 

-J spodocepbalus,  201 . 

Dendrocitta  bimalayen- 
sis, 418. 

rufa,  418. 

Dendrosfa  cajrulescens, 

168. 
Dendrocopus    immacula- 

tus,  347. 

uiajor,  144,  379. 

Dendropicus  sordidus, 

247. 

spodocepbalus,  201. 

Dica?um  fulgidum,  209. 

salvadorii,  459. 

Dicruropsis  bracteata, 

3.55. 
Dicrurus  catbcecus,  265. 

palawanensis,  318. 

Diglossa   major,   357, 

443. 

—  plumbea,  208. 
Diomedea  albatrus,  176. 

derogata,  176. 

nigrijaes,  176. 

Dioptornis  fiscberi,  339. 
Dipbyllodes  cbryso- 

pterus,  210. 
guilielmi-tertii, 

471. 

wilsoni,  467. 

Dives,  149,  151. 

atroviolaceus,  152. 

■ sumicbrasti,  151, 

152. 

warcewiezi,  152. 

Polichonyx,  2. 

badius,  8. 

frontalis,  17. 

oryzivora,  2. 


478 


INDKX. 


Dolichonyx  oryzivorus,  2. 

■  rufieapillLis,  17. 

])repanorhyiichus  veiche- 

nowii,  339. 
Drepanornis  albertisi, 

211. 

bruijnii,  460. 

cervinicauda,  471. 

Droniieus  irroratus,  353. 
Drymacedus,  209. 

beccarii,  209. 

Drymocataphus     cinerei- 

ceps,  321. 
Drymoeca  pyrrhoptera, 

ill. 

undosa,  111. 

Drvinoipiis  inornatus, 

416. 
Dryocoeeyx  liarringtoni, 

316. 
Dryocopus  galeatus, 

442. 

inai'tius,  337. 

richardsi,  337. 

Dulus,  338. 

dominicus,  168. 

Eclectus  polychlonis, 

360. 

riedeli,  342. 

westermanni,  342. 

Elainea,  447. 

albiceps,  447. 

ferrugineiceps,  108. 

olivina,  446. 

Elanus,  220. 

cteruleus,  220. 

melanopterus,  97. 

Elminia  albicauda,  122. 
Einberiza,  453. 

aureola,  266. 

cia,  95,  377,  428. 

ciopsis,  266. 

cirlus,  95,  376. 

citrinella,  143,  376. 

hortulana,  377. 

mexicana,  461. 

miliai-ia,  67,95, 143, 

376. 

oryzivora,  2. 

pecoris,  3. 

personata,  182,  183. 

piisilla,  266,  419. 

scboeniclus,  143, 

377. 

spodocephala,  182. 

stewarti,  419. 

. slvacheyi,  419,  428. 

yessoenais,  42. 

Empidonax.  21('). 


Empidonax    fulvifrons, 

461. 

palleseens,  461. 

rubicundus,  461. 

Engyptila  wellsi,  453. 
Eos,  209. 

reticulata,  209. 

Erismatura  leucocephala, 

429. 

niersa,  91. 

Eritbacus  calliope,  182. 

cyaneus,  182. 

golzi,  426. 

gutturalis,  465. 

hyrcanus,  431. 

rubecula,  98,  370. 

Erythropsar,  15, 
Erytbropus  amurensis, 

222. 

vespertinus,  291. 

Erytbrosterna     bypery- 

tbra,  413. 
Erytbrura  modesta,  354. 

tricbrea,  var.,  354. 

Esacus  recurvirostris, 

272. 
E.strelda  astrild,  229. 

subflava,  229. 

Eucoiuetis  spodocepbala, 

208. 
Eudrepanis,  325. 
EudjiJtes,  112,  113. 
cbrysocome,  112, 

459. 
Eudyptila,  1 12. 
Eulabes  javauensis,  321. 
Eumyias  melanops,  41.3. 
Eunetta  falcata,  270. 

fijrniosa,  270. 

Eupbagws,  150. 
Eupbonia,  208. 

fulvicrissa,  208. 

gracilis,  208. 

luteicapilla,  208. 

musica,  168. 

Euplectes  friedericbseni, 

339. 

taba,  218. 

Euplocamus     albocrista- 

tus,  423. 
Euprinodes  scbistaceus, 

45. 
Eui'ostopodus,  3.54. 

astrolabae,  211,  354. 

Eurynorliyiiclius  pyg- 

ma?usi,  216. 
Eurypyga  belias,  440. 
Euscartbm\i8  gularis.  446. 

russatuy,  44.5. 

Eutbyrliyncluis,  32s. 


Excalfactoria      cbinen.sis, 
331. 

Falco  sesalon,  385. 

arcadicus,  458. 

atriceps,  238,  260, 

284. 

barbarus,  238,  285. 

caiidicans,  385. 

cenchris,  385. 

eleonora^,  458. 

feldeggii,  285. 

leucogenys,  280, 

285,  286,  287. 
melanogenys,  260, 

282,  331,  332." 
peregrinus,  238, 

260,  280,  285,  286, 385. 
abietinus,  280, 

284. 
breyirostris, 

280,  284,  285. 
cornicum,  280, 

281,  283,  284,  285. 
griseiventris. 

280, 281,  282,  284,  285. 
leucogenys, 

280. 

punicus,  4.57,  462. 

sacer,  145,  243. 

subbuteo,  145,  406. 

tanypterus,  285. 

tinnunculus,  385, 

406. 
Formicivora  malura,  442. 
Francolinus  subtorqua- 

tus,  232. 

vulgaris,  423. 

Franklinia  buebanani, 

416. 
Fregilus  graculus,  242. 

bimalayanus,  419. 

Fringilauda  sordida,  421. 
Fringilla  cfelebs,  143,  .376. 

manimbe,  44. 

mexicana,  4(51. 

montifringilla,  266, 

376. 

papa,  124. 

pecoris,  3. 

sinica,  266. 

Fringillaria  capensis, 

230. 

tahapisi,  230. 

vittata,  230. 

Frugilegus  pastinator, 

265. 
Fuliea  atra,    148,    178, 

269,  388,  424. 
Fuligula  cristata,  270. 


INDEX. 


179 


Fuligiila    ferina,    147, 

176. 
nyroca,  80,  425. 

Gallicrex  cristata,   178, 

268. 
Gallinago   coelestis,   98, 

389. 

galliuula,  98,  389. 

major,  389. 

nemoricola,  424. 

scolopacina,  424. 

solitaria,  424. 

Gallinula  chloropus,   97, 

148,  178,  388,  425. 

phceuicura,  269. 

Gallirex    porpbyreolo- 

phus,  339. 
Gallus  ferrugineus,  423. 

stramineicoUis,  471. 

Garapsorhyuchus  torqua- 

tus,  470. 
Garrulax    albogularis, 

414. 

leucolophus,  414. 

pei-BpicillaUis,  265. 

■ — —  saunio,  265. 
Garrulus    bispecularis, 

418. 

brandti,  337. 

glandarius,    102, 

143,  378. 

japonicus,  337. 

laoceolatus,  418. 

sinensis,  265. 

Gecinus,  79. 

awokera,  337. 

canus,  266,  337. 

guerini,  266. 

occipitalis,    266, 

410. 

sharpii,  79. 

squamatus,  410. 

Tiridis,  144,  379. 

Geocichla  citrina,  413. 

unicolor,  413. 

varia,  263. 

Geoffroyus  tiioorlaoen- 

sis,  355,  458. 
Geosittacunicularia,  205. 
Geothlypis  semiflava, 

108. 
Gerygone  dorsalis,  342. 
— ■ —  fulvescens,  459. 
Glareola  nordmanni, 

232. 

orientalis,  267. 

Glaucidium  brodiei,  408. 

jardinii,  436. 

passerinimi,  381. 


Glycychiera,  327,  328, 

329. 
Glycyphila,  327,  328. 

ocularis,  327. 

Goisachius  melanolo- 

phus,  176. 
Gorsachius  goisagi,  335. 

melanolophus,  335. 

Goura,  355,  356. 

albertisi,  356. 

scheepmakeri,  355, 

356. 

sclateri,  356. 

Gracula,  153. 

barita,  159. 

f'erruginea,  150. 

javanensis,  321. 

quiscala,  154. 

Graculus  carbo,  425. 

javanieus,  425. 

lettiensis,  459. 

GraUaria,  451. 

— ~  brevicauda,  451. 

simplex,  451. 

Grallina  bruijnii,  210. 
Graucalus  sumatrensis, 

319, 
Grus    antigone,    177, 

178. 

cinereus,  177,  243. 

communis,  388. 

japonensis,  178. 

leucauchen,  177, 

178. 

leucogeranus,  177. 

monachus,  178. 

vipio,  177. 

virgo,  243. 

viridirostris,  178. 

Gygis  Candida,  122. 
Gymnomystax,  2,  19. 

melanicterus,  19. 

mexicanus,  19. 

Gymnorhina,  396. 
Gypaetus  barbatus,  94, 

242,  382,  406. 
Gypohierax,  343. 
Gypoictinia  melanoster- 

non,  465. 
GyTjs  bengalensis,  406. 
— -  fulvus,  146,  279, 

381. 

himalayanus,  405. 

- — —  himalayensis,  242. 

Haegilites,  457. 
Hsematopus  ostralegus, 

389. 
Halcyon  pileatus,  261. 
smyruensis,  409. 


Haliaetus  albicilla,  109, 

145,  308,  384. 

hypoleucus,  109. 

leucoryphws,  308. 

Heliodoxa  xantbogonys, 

357. 
Hemicercus,  244,  252. 
• brookeanus,  245, 

246,  247. 

brunneus,  193. 

canens,  253. 

cauente,  244,  246, 

252,  256,  257,  258. 

coccometopus,  247. 

concretus,  244,  245, 

246,  247,  250. 
cordatus,  244,  246, 

255,  257,  258. 

hartlaubi,  245,  250. 

sordidus,  244,  245, 

246,  447,  252. 
Hemichelidon    fuligino- 

sus,  412. 
Heniicircus    brunneus, 

197. 

tristis,  191. 

Henicurus    maculatus, 

417. 

acouleri,  262,  417. 

sinensis,  262. 

Hermotimia,  325. 

aspasia,  325,  326. 

aspasioides,    325, 

326. 

auriceps,  326. 

corinna,  325. 

Cornelia,  325. 

grayi,  325. 

jobiensis,  325. 

maforeusis,  325. 

morotensis,  325. 

mysorensis,  325. 

nigriscapularis, 

325. 
porphyrol£cma, 

325. 

proserpina,  325. 

salvadorii,  325. 

Hesperiphona  icteroides, 

420. 
Heteranax,  342. 

mundus,  342. 

Heterura  sylvana,  262, 

417. 
Hierococcyx,  36. 

fugax,    36,    331, 

333. 

hyperythrus,  333. 

pectoralis,  331,  333. 

sparverioides,  411. 


480 


INDLX. 


Jlieroeoccyx  varius,  333. 
Hierofalco  gyrfalco,  288, 
289,  21)0. 

hendersoni,  288. 

islandus,  288. 

saker,  280. 

uraleusis,  288,  289, 

290. 
Hirundo  ciuHillata,  227, 

228. 

daurica,  408. 

dimidiata,  227. 

erjtbrogastra,  109. 

• euclirysea,  203. 

filifei-a,  408. 

gutturalis,  261. 

jav&nica,  321. 

kamtschatiea,  207. 

puella,  228. 

rustica,    142,  374, 

408. 

saturata,  109. 

sclateri,  203,  338. 

semirufa,  227. 

Histvionicus    minutus, 

103. 
Holoquiscaliis,       153, 

158. 
Hororuis  pallidus.  4U». 
Hydrochelidou  hybrida, 

73,270. 

indica,  425. 

leucoptera,      124, 

148. 

nigra,  148. 

Hydrophasianus  cliirur- 

■gus,  268,  273,  424. 
Hyliota,  104. 

barbozae,  105. 

Hylypsornis   salvadorii, 

122. 
Hypliautes    xanthomus, 

12. 
Hypbantornis  luariqueu- 

sis,  229. 

Telatus,  228,  229. 

vitelliuus,  229. 

Hypobletis,  3. 
Hypolais   icterina,   141, 

426. 

pallida,  426. 

pallida-rama,  426. 

rama,  426. 

Hypopyrrbus,  149,  163. 

pyrrbogaster,  163. 

Hypotbymis,  320. 
Hypotriorcbis  femoralis, 

437. 

scverus,  330. 

siibbuLeo,  279. 


Hypsipetes       psaroides, 
415. 

Ibis  eomata,  459. 

propinqua,  35. 

Icterus,  18,  167. 

anticus,  20. 

atro-olivaceus,  20. 

badius,  8. 

brevirostris,  7. 

cayanensis,  12. 

cbrysopterus,  12. 

citrinus,  19. 

cyanopus,  13. 

dominicensis,   20, 

168. 

flavus,  16. 

fringillarius,  8. 

guirahuro,  20. 

Immeralis,  11. 

ictcroeepbalus,  14. 

leucopteryx,  18. 

maxillaris,  9. 

minor,  5,  6,  150. 

nigerrimus,  14. 

sericeus,  5. 

sulfirostris,  164. 

tanagriuuB,     149, 

150. 

tricolor,  11. 

unicolor,  164. 

violacevis,  .5,  (i. 

virescens,  20. 

vulgaris,  18. 

xantbocepbalus,  14. 

xantbomus,  12. 

Idiopsar,  240,  241. 
bracbyurus,    167, 

240. 
Indicator  xantbonotus, 

104. 
Irena  tweeddalli,  321. 
Ixulus,  405,  417. 
Ij'Ugipicus,  100. 

■ doerriesi,  100. 

gymnopbtbalmus, 

104. 
kisuki,    100,   101, 

179. 

nanus,  104. 

peuinsularis,  104. 

scintilliceps,  100. 

—  seebobmi,  100,  101, 
179. 

lynx,  28. 

sequatorialis,  29. 

japonica,  180. 

• pectoralis,  29,  30. 

puk'bi-icoUis,   28, 

29,  30. 


Ivnx  torquilla,  144,  180, 
■379,410. 
1x08  fainiliai'is,  124. 
Ixuhis  liavicollis,  417. 

Japus  rubricapillus,  18. 
Junco  aikt'iii,  103. 
bairdi,  109. 

Ketupa,  42. 

Lagopus,  430. 

mutus,  35,  387. 

ridgwayi,  347. 

rupe.stris,  179. 

Lalage  mcEsta,  209. 

melanoleuca,  334. 

riedelii,  459. 

timoriensis  celeben- 

sis,  459. 
Lauipornis    aurulentus, 

168. 
Lampropsar,  149,  151. 

dives,  150,  152. 

guianeusis,     149, 

1.50,  166. 

tanagriiius,  149. 

warcewiezi,  150, 

152. 
Lauiarius  atrococcineus, 

232. 

bypopyrrbus,  323. 

polioceplialus,  323. 

Lanio  Jeucotborax   me- 

lanopygius,  208. 

'- melanopygius,  208. 

Lanius,  400,  402. 
algerieusis,     210, 

400,  401. 

antinorii,  323,  324. 

assimibs,  400,  401. 

- — -  coUaris,  324,  401. 

coUurio,  74,  142. 

cristatus,  402. 

cruentus,  323. 

dealbatus,  400. 

dorsalis,  107,  324. 

elegans,  400. 

■ erytbronotus,  412. 

excubitor,  210,  374. 

excubitoroides,  400. 

fallax,  400,  401. 

fuscatus,  402. 

grimmi,  400. 

gubernator,324,402. 

bemileucurus,  400, 

401. 

homeyeri,  400. 

humeralis,  401. 

labtora,  412. 


INDEX. 


481 


Lanius  leucopterus,  400. 
ludovicianus,  210, 

400. 
magnirostris,  37, 

402. 

major,  37. 

■  meridionalis,    70, 

374. 

Diinor,  142. 

mollis,  400. 

jK^neranuB,  374. 

pyrrhostictus,  108, 

324. 

scliach,  2(w,  402. 

smitbii,  402. 

specuiigerus,  402. 

superciliosus,  402. 

tephronotus,  412 

— —  tigrinus,  402. 

uncinatus,  401. 

vittatus,  412. 

Larus  afBnis,  4.53. 

borealis,  32. 

cachinnans,    270, 

391. 

dominioanus,  206. 

fuscus,  391. 

gelastes,  86. 

glaiicescens,  103. 

glaucus,  391. 

kumlieni,  103. 

marinii.'*,  391. 

melanocephalus,  86, 

390. 
■ minutus,    205,  391 , 

456,  457. 

nelsoui,  453. 

ridibundius  270, 390. 

schistisagus,  453. 

Iridactylus,  32. 

Larvivora  superciliaris, 

415. 
Latliria,  449. 

cineracea,  449. 

streplophora,  448, 

449. 
Leiothrix  laurinf^,  104. 
Leipoa  ocellata,  336. 
Leistes,  21. 

albipes,  24. 

americaniis,  22. 

anticiis,  20. 

curseus,  21. 

erythrothorax,  22. 

flavus,  16. 

guiaueusis,  21,  22. 

humeralis,  11. 

icterocephalus,  16. 

melauicterus,  19. 

militaris,  22. 

SER.  V. VOL.  II. 


Leistes  niger,  21. 

oriolides,  20. 

suchii,  20. 

superciliaris,  21, 

22. 

unicolor,  13. 

\ire8ceiia,  20. 

viridis,  20. 

Leptopogon  nigriirous, 

446. 
Lerwa  nivicola,  423. 
Leucocerca  albot'rontata 

412. 

fuscoventris,  412. 

Leucosticte  litcmatopygia, 

244. 
Ligea,  203,  338. 

p  dustris,  203,  338. 

Ligurinus  chloris,  142. 

375. 
Limosa  regoeepbala,  390. 
novffi-zealandia;, 

123. 

rufa,  99. 

Linota  canuabina,  82, 

237,  370. 

flavirostris,  376. 

linaria,  234,  235, 

237. 

. rurescens,  376. 

Lithofalco  sesalon,  290. 
Lobivanellus  goeiisis, 

424. 
Locustella  fluviatilis,  136, 

141. 

nffivia,  141. 

Lophophanes  cristatus, 

372. 
inornatus  cinereus, 

109. 

melanolophus,  418. 

Lopliopborus  chaiiibanus, 

421,  422. 
impeyanus,  421, 

422. 
Lopbornis,  357. 
~  pavoninus,    357, 

358. 
Lophortyx  californicus 

brunnescens,  460. 
Loricidus  galgvdus.  111. 
Loxia,  118,460. 

bifasciata,  118. 

curvirostra,  376, 

460. 

bendirei,  461. 

leucoptera,  1 18. 

pityopsittacus,  456, 

461. 
Loxigilla  violacea,  168. 


Lurocalis  rufiventris, 

464. 
Lusciniola,  40. 

thoracica,  40. 

Lyneornis,  354. 
papiiensis,  354. 

Machetes  pugnax,  33. 

390. 
Machloloplius  xantbo- 

genys,  418. 
Macragelajus,  149,  162. 

subalaris,  162. 

MacEorhaiiiphus  griseus, 

103. 
Malaconotus  liypopyr- 

rluis,  323. 
Manxicodia  atra,  211. 
Mareca  penelope,  386, 

425. 
Megalffima  asiatica,  410. 

iiiarsliallorum,  410. 

Megaloperdix  tibetanus, 

243. 
Megaloplionus  massaicua, 

339. 
Megalurus,  40. 

alboliaibatus,  342. 

gramineus,  40. 

pryeri,  40,  337. 

Megapodius  cumingi, 

322. 
Megaqiiiscalus,  153,  155. 
Meiglvptes  brunneus, 

193. 

fuscus,  194. 

gramiiiitborax,  189, 

190, 191, 192, 193,  196. 
jugularis,  189,  197, 

199. 

marginatus,  194. 

pectoralis,  194. 

IDoiciloplius,  189. 

sordidu.s,  250. 

■  tristis,    189,    19l>, 

191,  192,  193,  199. 
tukki,  189,  193, 

194. 
Melaniparus,  335. 
semilarvatus,  331, 

334. 
Melanocoryplia  calandra, 

377. 

maxima,  242. 

Melanopitta  sordida, 

321. 
Meliarchus,  328. 
Melidectes,  328. 
Melilestes,  328,  329. 

affiiiis,  328. 

2o 


482 


INDEX. 


Melilestes  iliolophiis, 

328. 

novffi-guinea-,  328. 

poliopterus,  328. 

Melipotes  pymnops,  328. 
Melirrliophetes,  328. 
Melithreptus,  340. 
Melittophagus  boebiui, 

111. 
Melizopliilus  undatus, 

371. 
Meloplius  melanicterus, 

4  lit. 
Melospiza  palustris,  .44. 
Merganetta  arniata,  338. 
Mergiis  mergan.ser,  2G9. 

serrator  98,  38(>. 

Merops  apiaster,  G9,  144, 

223. 

nubicoides,  223. 

ornatus  sumbaensis, 

458. 

revoillii.  107,  210. 

Merula  albociuetn,  413. 

boulboul,  413. 

cardis,  41. 

castanea,  414. 

cbry solans,  41. 

confinis,  110. 

dactyloptera,  215, 

216. 

fuscata,  2()3. 

mandarina,  263. 

merula,  215. 

naumanni,  2r)2. 

pallida,  263. 

unguiculata,  216. 

vulgaris,  216. 

Mesopicus  goertau,  199, 

200. 

griseocephalus,  200. 

naniaquus,  200. 

pyrrhogaster,  200. 

schoeiisis,  200. 

spodocephalus,  199, 

200,  201. 

xantholophus,  200. 

Metojiouia  pusilla,  421. 
Micropicus  eanente,  253, 

257. 
concretus,    247, 

250. 
hartlaubi,    245, 

250. 
Milvago  chimacliima, 

437. 
Milvulus  tyrannus,  361, 

435. 
Milvus  affinis,  239,  407. 
ater,  310,  311. 


Milvus  glaucopus,  312. 

govinda,  238,  239, 

311,  312,407. 

iclinus,  76,  77,  96, 

384. 
inelanotis,  238,  239, 

2(30. 
migi'ans,  76,  77,  96, 

145,384. 

palustris,  239. 

regalis,  309,  310. 

Mimociolila   ardesiaca, 

168,  338. 
Mimus,  241. 
Mirafra  nigricans,  231. 
Mitrephorus  paUescens, 

460. 
Mniotilta  varia,  168. 
Molobrug  sericeus,  6. 
Molothrus,  2,  3. 

a'neus,  3,  4. 

armenti,  3,  5,  166. 

ater,  4. 

obscurus,  4. 

atronitens,  3,  6. 

badius,  3,  8. 

bonariensi.s,  3,  5,  6, 

7,  9,  150. 

cabanisi,  166. 

• cassini,  3,  6,  7. 

discolor,  6. 

fringillaceus,  .3. 

fringillarius,  8. 

t'uscipennis,  8. 

maxillaris,  9. 

■ niuriuus,  167. 

niger,  6. 

obscurus,  4. 

pecoris,  3, 4. 

,    var.    ob- 
scurus, 4. 
purpurascens,  3, 

6,7. 

robustiis,  5,  7. 

— —  rufo-axillaris,  3,  7- 

sericeus,  5. 

MoTiareha  fuscescens, 

458. 

geelvinkianus,  458. 

inornatus    kisser- 

eusis,  458. 

■ mundu.'',  342. 

pileatus  buruensis, 

459. 
Mpnticola  cj-anus,  369. 
cyanus-solitarius, 

263. 

saxatilis,  369. 

MonliiVingilla   adaiusi, 

214. 


Montil'ringilla  nivalis, 

376. 
Morniuu    corniculatus, 

174. 
Motacilla    alba,    39,   98, 

118,  142,  373,  417. 
aniurensis,  39,  109, 

181,  182. 
blakistoni,  38,  181, 

182. 

boarula,  98. 

flava,  39,  142,  240, 

374,  428. 
,  var.  taivanus, 

39. 
— —  japonica,   38,   39, 

181. 

leucopsis,  262. 

lugubris,  118,  373. 

maderaspatana, 

417. 

nielanoeephala,  428. 

■ uielanope,  346,  373, 

417. 
ocularis,   39,    109, 

262. 

personata,  417. 

raii,    102,    374, 

428. 

sulphurea,  39,  262. 

,  var.  luelanope, 

39. 

taivanus,  240. 

yarrelli,  39. 

Munia   leucogastroides, 

111. 
Muscicapa   atricapilla, 

374. 

■ fulvifrons,  460. 

grisola,  227. 

gularis,  ISO. 

Muscicapula    supercili- 

aris,  413. 
Muscitrea  cyanea,  324. 
Musophaga  rossre,  359. 
Mycerobas   melanoxaa- 

thus,  420. 
Myiadestes  montanus, 

338. 
Myiarchiis  lawrencii  oli- 

vascens,  460. 
mexicanusmagister, 

460. 
Mviodioctes  meridioualis, 

108. 
Myiolestes,  397. 

bimaculatus,  354. 

maxima,  397. 

nigrogularis,  .397. 

vitieusis,  397. 


INDEX. 


483 


Myiophoneus  temminckii, 

413. 

cairuleus,  263. 

Myiozetetes  texensis,  434. 
columbianus, 

434. 
Myzantlie  ignipectus,411. 
Myzomela,  n.  sp.,  327. 

acloli3biiia%  326. 

annabellffi,  209. 

boiei,  326. 

chloroptera,  326. 

coccinea,  326,  327. 

cruentata,  326. 

eques,  211,  3.54. 

,  var.,354. 

erytbrina,  327. 

erytbrocephala,  326. 

erytbroraelas,  326. 

guentbei'i,  326,  341. 

infuscata,  326. 

obscura,  354. 

rubrobrunnea,  327. 

rubrotiDcta,  327. 

siuiplex,  327. 

Nectarinia  bocagei,  32.5. 
— — ■  ciipreonitens,  325. 
Neniura  eyanura,  415. 
Neofiebla    guttiiralis, 

132. 
Neopbron    ginginianiis, 

40!). 
percnoptenis,   278, 

382. 
Neopus  malaccensis,  407. 
Nesopsar,  9. 

. nigerrimus,  14. 

Nestor  notabilis,  471. 

• productus,  123. 

Nettapiis   coromandeli- 

anus,  270. 

kopscbii,  270. 

Nigrita  cabanisi,  339. 
Niltava  sundara,  413. 
Ninox,  169,  170,  171. 

affifiis,  170. 

burmanica,  170. 

dimorpba,  172. 

forbesi,  209. 

lugubris,  170. 

obscura,  171. 

scutulata,     169, 

170. 

theomacha,  171. 

Nisaetus  bellicosus,  219. 

bonellii,  407. 

fasciatus,  384. 

morphnoides,  465. 

spilogaster,  219. 


Notauges  fiscberi,  339. 
Nucifraga    liemispila, 

418. 

■  multimaeulata,  418. 

Nuinenius  arquatus,  34, 

99,  390. 

austral  is,  34. 

cyanopus,  34,  35. 

lineatus,  34,  268. 

major,  34. 

luinutus,  34,  35, 

268. 

pbseopus,  99,  335. 

rufescens,  34. 

uropygialis,  35. 

variegatus,  34,  35, 

Nyctala  tenginalmi,  381. 
Nycticorax  garden!,  439. 

griseus,  146,  233. 

Nyroca  ferruginea,  147. 

OceaTiodroma    f areata, 

105. 
Qildemia  nigra,  71. 
tEdicnemus  bistriatus, 

440. 

dominicensis,  203. 

■ scolopax,  78,  .388. 

CEdistoiua,  329. 

pygniasum,  328. 

CEstrelata  bcesitata,  202. 
Onycbospiza    taczanow- 

skii,  242. 
Opisthocomus  cristatus, 

440. 
Oreocincia  mollissima, 

414. 

\aria,  369. 

Oreoecetes    cinclorhyn- 

cbus,  413. 

erylbrogaster,  413. 

Oriolus  americanus,  22. 

ater,  4. 

cbinensis,  265. 

decipiens,  342. 

■ ierrugineus,  150. 

■ flavus,  1(5. 

galbula,  102,  142. 

guianensis,  21. 

■ icteroceijhalus,  15. 

■ kundoo,  415. 

mexicanus,  19. 

niger,  159. 

oryzivorus,  165. 

palawanensis,  319. 

•  plioeniceus,  10. 

■ ruber,  18. 

squauiiceps,  124. 

viridis,  19. 

Ortalis  rufieauda,  440. 


Ortbotomus  longicauda, 

416. 
Otis    dybowskii,    178, 

267. 

■ tarda,  388. 

tetrax,  102,  388. 

Otocompsa  leucogenys, 

415. 
Otocorys  albigula,  184. 
aipestris,  184, 

185,  186,  188. 
brandti,   117,   184, 

185, 186. 

cbrysola?ma,  18S. 

elwesii,  184,   185, 

186. 
longirostris,  116, 

117,118,184,185,186, 

188. 

nigrifrons,  184. 

occidentalis,  188. 

parvexi,  184. 

peuicillata,    117, 

184,  185,  187. 

peergrina,  188. 

sibirica,  184. 

Otogyps  calvus,  405. 
Otus  bracbyotus,  261. 

Pacbvcepbala  arctitor- 

quis,  209. 
astrolabi,  323,  398, 

399. 
christopliori,  323, 

398,  399. 

cho,  397. 

cyanoa,  324. 

graeffei,  399. 

griseiceps,  324. 

grisola,  400. 

gutturalis,  398. 

. intermedia,  399. 

jacquinoti,  399. 

jobiensis,  324. 

kandavensis,  398. 

kebirensis,  459. 

littayei,  398. 

• macrorbyncba,  323, 

397. 

melanura,  323,  397- 

miosnomensis,  324. 

neglecta,  399. 

obiensis,  323. 

occidentalis,  398. 

■ ■  poliosoma,  324. 

riedelii,  4.59. 

sharpei,  459. 

torquata,  399. 

vitiensis,  398. 

xantherythroea,  400- 


484 


INDEX. 


Pachycephala   xanthe- 

trrea,  400. 
PachycephalopBis  fortis, 

342. 
Paehyrhamphus,  448. 

griseigularis,  448. 

viridis,  448. 

Palceornis  purpurascens 

410. 

schisticeps,  410. 

Palumboena  eversmanni, 

421. 
Palumbus  casiotis,  421. 
Pandion  haliaetus,  183, 

294,  385. 
Paradisea,  211. 

decora,211, 354,471. 

minor,  360. 

raggiana,  211. 

susaunse,  211,  354. 

Parisoma  boehiui,  111. 
Parra  jacana,  440. 
Pariila  americana,  IGS. 
Parus,  463. 
ater,  37,  118,  372, 

395. 

atricapillus,  394. 

tiirneri,  460. 

beavani,  394. 

britannicns,  118. 

caTuleus,  142,  372, 

394,  395,  396. 

carolinensis,  394. 

castaneiveiitris,  394. 

cinereus,  418. 

CTistatiis,  395. 

cyamis,  39(5. 

flavipectus,  396. 

fringillinus,  340. 

gri.seiventri?,  111. 

baplonotus,  394. 

jerdoni,  394. 

—  leucopterus,  393. 

lugubris,  142,  403, 

428. 

major,  372. 

minor,  262. 

palustris,  37,  372, 

395. 

pendulinus,  428. 

persicLis,  394. 

pleskii,  396. 

rufiTentris,  110. 

rufonucbalis,  394. 

major,  141,  395. 

monticola,  418. 

niger,  393,  395. 

occidentalis,  394. 

semilarvatus,  334. 

. septentrionalis,  394. 


Parus  teneriffffi,  395. 

tricolor,  395. 

varius,  395. 

xanthogenys,  394, 

395. 
Passer   arcuatus, .  224, 
230. 

cinnaraomeus,  419. 

diffusus,  230. 

domesticus,  143, 

375,  419. 

flavicoUis,  419. 

moabiticus,  465. 

raontauus,  143,  375, 

419. 

rufocinctus,  339. 

salicicola,  77. 

Passerina  discolor,  6. 

oryzivora,  2. 

Pave  cristatu.s,  421. 
Pedicecetes  phasianellus 

campestris,  460. 
Pedopsaris,  24. 
Pedotribes  guianensis,  22. 
Pelai-gopsis  leucocepbala, 

318. 
Pelecaniis  sharpii,  122. 
Penelope,  358. 

mai-ail,  358. 

Penthetria  boeagii,  122. 
Perdix  cinerea,  147,  387. 
Pericrocotus  brevirostris, 

412. 
cinereus,  319,  334, 

337. 

igneus,  319. 

■ roseus,  412. 

speciosus,  272. 

Pernis,  276, 

apivorus,  275,  276, 

277,  295,  384. 
ptilorbyucbus,  275, 

276,  277. 
Petasopbora  anais,  451. 

germana,  451. 

Petrocossyphus  cyanus, 

413. 
Petronia  brachydactyla, 

465. 

petronella,  230. 

Pezites  brevirostris,  24. 

loyca,  23. 

militaris,  24. 

riiaceUodomus  sibilatrix, 

103. 
Pbaiopiciis  pectoralis, 

194. 

tristis,  190. 

grammithorax, 

191. 


Phaiopicus  jugularis, 
197. 

pectoralis,  194. 

tristis,  190. 

Phalacrocorax  africanus, 
233. 

carbo,  145, 385,  270. 

dilopbus  albocilia- 

tus,  460. 

pygni£eus,  146. 

Pbalaropus  fulicarius,  33, 
389. 

hyperboreus,  2()7. 

Plialeris  psittacula,  174. 
Pliasianus  chrysomelas, 
470. 

formosanus,  267. 

torquatus,  267. 

wallicbii,  423. 

Philemon,  328. 

cockerelli.  341. 

jobiensis,  328. 

kisserensis,  459. 

moluccensis,  328. 

plumigeuis,  328, 

342. 

sclateri,  328. 

— —  timorlaoensis,  328, 

355,  459. 
Philydor  albigularis,  450. 
Pbloga>nas  rufigula,  210. 
Phoenicopbaes  harring- 

toni,  316. 
Phcenicopbilus,  338. 

t'rugivorus,  203. 

palmarum,  168. 

Phoeuicopterus  ruber, 

168. 
Phopuicotbraupis  rhodi- 
noUvma,  208. 

rubica,  2U8. 

Pholidaiiges  verreauxi, 

228. 
Phonipara,  445. 

bicolor,  168,  445. 

pbaioptila,  445. 

Phrygilus,  240. 

unicolor,  240. 

Phyllopneuste  horaeveri, 

207. 
Pbylloscopus,  235. 

coUybita,  371. 

higubris,  235. 

■ magnirostris,  235. 

proregiilus,  261. 

rufus,  428. 

scindianus,  236. 

.  tristis,  236,  416. 

trochilus,  371,428. 

— viridanns,  416. 


INDEX. 


485 


Piaya  cayana  guianensis, 
435. 

guianensis,  435. 

Pica  camtschatica,  347. 

caudata,  265,  347. 

leucoptera,  265. 

rustica,  143,  378, 

418. 
Picumnus,  167,  442. 

jheringi,  441,  442. 

lawrencii,  167,  168. 

lepidotus,  442. 

niicromegas,  167, 

168. 

pygniseus,  442. 

Picus,  120. 

brunneifrons,  410. 

brunneus,  194. 

canente,  2.52. 

,  var.  occiden- 

talis,  257. 

,  Tar.  orien- 

talis,  253. 

concretus,  245,  247, 

250. 

cordatiis,  257. 

hiuialayensis,  410. 

kisuki,    100,  101, 

337. 

kogera,  101. 

luridus,  193. 

macsei,  410. 

mahrattensis,  410. 

major,  313,  337. 

kaiutschat- 

kensis,  313. 

minor  kaiutscliat- 

kensis,  313. 

mandarinus,  266. 

martins,  379. 

medius,  456. 

minor,    36,    313, 

337. 

,  vai".  danfordi, 

36. 

,  var.  pipra,  36. 

nuttalli,  361. 

pectoralis,  196. 

poicilolophus,  189, 

191. 

sordidus,  247. 

temmincki,  442. 

tristis,  189,  190, 

191. 

tukki,  193, 194. 

Piezoi'hina,  240. 
Piezorhynchus  castus, 
342. 

squamulatus,  342. 

vidua,  342. 


Pinicola  enucleator,  234. 
Pionias  bohndorfB,  359. 
Pipra,  448. 

coruuta,  447,  448. 

iracunda,  447. 

rubricapilla,  447, 

448. 
Pipreola  elegans,  449. 

jucunda,  449. 

vFhitelyi,  449. 

Pitangus  derbyanus,  434. 

rufipennis,434. 

Pitta  erythrogastra,  334, 

kochi,  210. 

sordida,  321. 

Platalea  ajaja,  168. 

leucorodia,  147. 

Plectorhynclius,  340. 
Plectrophanes,  453. 
Plectrophenax,  453. 
Plegadis  falcinellus,  147. 
Plotus  chantrei,  459. 

levaillanti,    459, 

465. 

melanogaster,  459. 

Podasocys  montanus, 

213. 
Podiceps  cristatus,  91, 
148.  _ 

griseigena,  148. 

minor,  269,  425. 

philippensis,  269. 

Podoces  humilis,  242. 
Poecile  kamtschatkensis, 
313. 

palustris,  313. 

Poecilia  borealis,  214. 

macrura,  214. 

Poecilodryas  bimaculata, 
342,  354. 

melanoleuca,  353. 

minor,  4.59. 

Sylvia,  211,  353. 

Poliospiza  reicbardi,  111. 
Polyboroides  typicus, 

360. 
Polyborus  ayduboni,  437. 
Polyplectron  eujDbaues, 

210. 
Pomatorhinus,  263. 

erythrogenys,  414. 

ruficoUis,  263,  264. 

stridulus,  264. 

styani,  263,  264. 

tickelli,  470. 

Porpbyrio  alleni,  214. 

ca;ruleus,  98,  429. 

Porpbyrio  poliocephalus, 

429. 
smaragdonotus,  429. 


Porzana  bailloni,  269. 

maruetta,  92,  388. 

parva,  147. 

Potamopsar,  149,  150. 

minor,  149. 

tanagrinus,  149. 

Pratincola  caprata,  415. 

ferrea,  415. 

indica,  415. 

maura,  426. 

rubetra,  140,  370. 

rubicola,  140,  370. 

Procellaria  furcata,  33. 

leucorrhoa,  33. 

pelagica,  392. 

Promerops,  341. 
Psaltriparus  grindce,  109, 
460,  461. 

melanotus,  461. 

minimus  californi- 

cus,  460. 
Psarocolius  ajneus,  4. 

caudacutus,  2. 

curaeus,  21. 

cyanocepbalus, 

151. 

flaviceps,  16. 

gubeniator,  10. 

gymnops,  19. 

palliatus,  K>5. 

perspicillatus,  14. 

unicolor,  164. 

Pseudocossypbus  rufus, 

340. 
Pseudolalage  melano- 
leuca, 334. 
Pseudoleistcs,  2,  19. 

melauicterus,  19. 

virescens,  19,  20. 

viridis,  19,  20. 

Psittaeodis  westermanni, 

342. 
Psittacula  diopbtbalmica, 

467. 
Pterocles  alchata,  84. 

arenarius,  84,  386. 

Ptilopus  bellus,  211. 

flavovirescens,  355, 

459. 

melanocepbalus, 

322. 

wallacei,  209. 

Ptilotis,  327. 

albinotata,  327. 

• analoga,  327. 

cbrysotis,  327. 

flavirictus,  327. 

limbata,  341. 

marmorata,  329, 

341. 


486 


INDEX. 


Ptilotis  megalorhyncbus,) 

341. 

montana,  327. 

polygramma.  341. 

vii-escens,  341. 

Ptyrticiis  turdinus,  342. 
Pucrasia  macrolopha, 

422. 
Puffinus  sp.  ?,  98. 

carueipes,  176. 

griseiiB,  33. 

kuhli,  392. 

levicomelas,  176. 

major,  392. 

Pyciionotus  pygseus, 

415. 

sinensis,  263. 

xantborrbous,  263. 

Pygosceles,  112. 
Pyranga  erytbrocepbala, 

208. 

flglina,  208._^ 

bepatica,  208. 

testacea,  208. 

Pyromelana  orvx,  229, 

230. 

■ taba,  229. 

Pyrrbocentor  raelanops, 
"331. 

■ unirut'us,  331 . 

Pyrrbocorax  alpinus, 

378,  419. 

graculus,  378. 

Pvrrbospiza  punicea, 

"420. 
Pyri-bula  aiirantiaca,  420. 
erytbrocepbala, 

420. 

europfea,  346,  376. 

Pyrrbulauda  barbata, 

242. 
ruficoILis,  242. 

Quelea  sangiiinirostris, 

230. 
Quevquedula  eircia,  175. 

crecca,  386,  425. 

Quispala,  153. 

niteus,  1.54. 

Quieeahis,  149,  150,  153, 

155,  158,  161. 

aeneus,  153,  154. 

a>quatoriabs,  152. 

agloBus,  153,  154. 

assimilis,  155,   156, 

157. 
ater,  165,  168. 

atroviolaceus,  152. 

barita,  159,  160, 

162. 


Quiscalus  baritus,  154, 

159. 
— ■ — ,  var.  gund- 

bicbii,  159. 

barytas,  159. 

bracbypterns,  158, 

160,  161. 
— — ■  breweri,  151. 
corvinus,  155. 

crassirostris,  153, 

158,  159, 160. 

fortirostris,  158, 

161. 
graysoni,      155, 

157. 
guadeloupensis, 

158,  160. 
gundlacbi,    158, 

159. 
inflexirostris,    158, 

160,  161. 
lugubris,  158,  160, 

161, 1&2. 
liiminosus,  158, 161, 

166. 

macrurus,  155, 156, 

1.57. 

major,  1.55. 

■ ,  var.  macrurus, 

156. 
,  var.  palustris, 

157. 

mexicanus,  167. 

minor,  149,  150. 

niger,    158,    159, 

166. 
palustris,  153,  157, 

158. 

peruvianus,  156. 

purpuratus,  1.54. 

purpureus,  154. 

,  var.  a^neus, 

154. 
. ,  var.  agla;us, 

154. 

pyrrbogaster,  163. 

recti  ros^ris,  161. 

subalaris,  162. 

— suuiicbrasti,  152. 

tenuirostris,    155, 

157, 158. 
rersicolor,  153,  1.54, 

155. 

Eallus  aquations,    92, 

147,  388. 

baillom,  35. 

Reguloides  hutuii,  236, 

416. 
occipitalis,  416. 


Reguloides    proregulus, 

416. 

snperciliosus,  236. 

■ troebiloides,  416. 

Regulus   cristatus,   102, 

371,  416. 

ignicapillus,  371. 

Ebampboccelus  passer- 

inii,  208. 

uropygialis,  208. 

Rhampbomantis   mega- 

rbyncbus,  354. 

rollesi,  211,  354. 

Rhapbidura,  107. 
Rbea  uiacrorbyucba,  353. 
Rliectes  rubiensis,  459. 
Rbeinardius  ocellatus, 

209.210. 
Rbipidura  fusco-rufa, 

2t»9. 
baniadryas,  209. 

opistberytbra,  342. 

Rbodostetbia  rosea,  105. 
Rbopodytes,  331. 
Rbyncba^a   bengalensis, 

178. 
Rissa  tridactyla,  391. 
Rupornis  ridgwayi,  203. 
Ruticilla  aurorea,  262. 
• cajruleocepbala, 

415. 
erytbrogastra,  405, 

415. 

erytbroprocta,  344. 

frontalis,  415. 

fuliginosa,  415. 

moussieri,  393. 

ocbrura,  344,  431. 

jjbcrnicurus,  370. 

rufiventris,  415. 

titys,  ()7,  349,  350, 

351,  352,  370,  457. 

Saurotbera    dominicen- 

sis,  168. 
Saxieola  albicollis,  370. 

■ aurita,  67. 

leucura,  122,370. 

monticola,  466. 

niorio,  102. 

cenantbe,  140,  370. 

picata,  415. 

scbalowi,  340. 

stapazina,  67. 

Scapbidura,  164, 

• atra,  165. 

barita,  165. 

erassirostra,  16.5. 

Scapbidurus,  153,  164. 
airoviolaceus,  152. 


INDEX. 


487 


Scaphidurua  palustris, 

157. 
Scelospizias  polyzonoides, 

219. 
Scenopa?us  dentirostris, 

471. 
Scolecophagus,  149,  150, 

151,  152. 
atroviolaceus,  151, 

152. 
• cyanocepbalus,  150, 

151. 

dires,  152. 

femigineus,  150. 

mexicanus,  151. 

niger,  151. 

sericeus,  G. 

Scolecotheres    spodoce- 

phalus,  201. 
Scoiopax  gallinago,  267. 

grisea,  33. 

horsfieldi,  267. 

ruslicula,  98,  267, 

389,  424. 

Bolitaria,  244. 

wilsoni,  33. 

Scops  brasilianus,  436. 

• gill,  380. 

japoniciis,  42. 

nicobaricus,  172. 

. pliuiiipes,  408. 

semitorques,  42. 

spilocephalus,  408. 

stictouotiis,  42. 

sunia,  172,  408. 

Scopus  uuibretta,  343. 
Sericornis,  209. 

arfakiana,  209. 

beccarii,  209. 

Serinus  caiionicus,  465. 
bortulanus,    337, 

375. 
Setophaga  bairdi,  108. 
• castaneocapilla, 

443. 

ruticilla,  168. 

Sbarpia  angolensis,  122. 
Sibia  picaoides,  414. 
Sigmodus  griseimentalis, 

359. 
Simorliyncbiis  microce- 

ros,  31. 

■ piisilliis,  31. 

pygmajiis,  31. 

Sipbia  lemprieri,  319. 

pbilippensis,  320. 

Sitta  aculeata,  403. 

cjesia,  142,  372. 

canadensis,  403. 

carolinensis,  403. 


Sitta  himalayensis,  411. 

leucopsis,  411. 

neiiinayeri,  402, 

syriaca,  402. 

villosa,  403. 

whitebeadi,  363. 

Sittella  albifrons,  21], 

354. 

papuensis,  354. 

Somateria   spectabilis, 

111. 

v-nigrum,  111. 

Spatula  clypeata,  386, 

425. 
Spbeniscus,  112,  113. 
Spbenocerciis  spbenurus, 

421. 
Spilornis  asturinus,  458. 

cbeela,  407. 

Spindalis  unicolor,  338. 
Spizaetus    uipaleusis, 

407. 
Spizella  pinetorum,  44, 

45. 

pusilla,  44. 

socialis,  44, 45. 

Spizixus    semitorques, 

263. 
Spizocorys  conirostris, 

231. 
Stacbyris  pyrrbops,  414. 
Stactolfema  aucbietse, 

122. 
Stercorarius  sp.  ?,  98. 

buffoni,  176. 

catarrbactes,  391. 

cbilensis,  206. 

crepidatus,  32,  391. 

pomatorbinus,  32, 

391. 
Sterna    cantiaca,    86, 

205. 

caspia,  270. 

fluviatibs,  148. 

birnndo,  119,425. 

minuta,  73. 

• sinensis,  32. 

Stigmatops,  327. 

blasii,  327. 

cbloris,  327. 

squauiata,  355. 

■ subociilaris,  327. 

Strepera,  396. 
Strepsilas   interpres,   99, 

168. 
Strigiceps    cineraceus, 

315. 

cyaneus,  314. 

pallidus,  314. 

Strix  Candida,  346. 


Strix  flammea,   83,   144, 

381. 
pratincola, 

435. 

furcata,  436. 

oustaleti,  346. 

rufescens,  183. 

iiralensis,  183. 

Strut  bio   australis,    465, 

46(>. 

camelus,  116,  352. 

niolybdopbanes, 

116,  352,  353,  466. 
Sturnella,  2,  24. 

beUicosa,  24. 

collaris,  25. 

defibppii,  24. 

bolosericea,  18. 

byppocrepis,  25,  26. 

loyca,  24. 

■ ludoviciana,  24,  25, 

26,  27. 
■ bippocrepis, 

25. 
,   yar,   bippo- 
crepis, 26. 
. nieridionalis, 

26. 

■ mexicana,  26. 

■ neglecta,  25. 

magna,  25. 

,   Tar.   meri- 

dionalis,  27. 
,  Tar.  mexicana, 

26. 
,  Tar  neglecta, 

25. 

meridionalis,  26. 

mexicana,  26. 

militans,  23,  24. 

neglecta,  25. 

rubra,  18. 

Sturnus  cineraceus,  266. 

jamaicensis,  159. 

loyca,  23. 

liidoTicianus,  25. 

militaris,  23. 

•  nitens,  419. 

prffidatorius,  10. 

pyrrbocepbalus,  18. 

unicolor,  97. 

Tulgaris,   98,    143, 

378, 419. 
Sula  bassana,  98,  385. 
Sutbora  suffusa,  265. 
Suya  atrogularis,  416, 

crinigera,  416. 

striata,  261 . 

Sycalis  Columbiana,  433. 
flayeola,  433. 


488 


INDEX. 


Sylvia  affinis,  237,  416. 
atricapilla,  14:1,371, 

427. 

cinerea,  141. 

,  /3.  fuscipilea, 

427. 

curruca,  371,  427. 

diplione,  124. 

fuscipilea,  427. 

garrula,  237. 

hortensis,  141. 

melanocephala,   92, 

371,  427. 

inomus,  427. 

mystacea,  427. 

nisoria,  141,  427. 

■ rvibescens,  427. 

riifa,  371. 

subalpina,  427. 

Sylviparus  moclestus,418. 
Synallaxis  adusta,  450. 

ciiierascens,  442, 

demissa,  449. 

flavigulai-is,  207. 

frontalis,  449. 

■ la?niosticta,  4.50. 

orbignii,  207. 

riiticilla,  442 

terre-stris,  4.50. 

Syrniuin  akico,  380. 

indrani,  407. 

nivicoluiB,  407. 

iiralense,  42. 

Syrrhaptes    paradoxus, 

■  386. 
tibetanus,  243. 

Taccocua  sirkee,  411. 
TachyphonuB,  208. 

chrysomelas,  208. 

nitidissimus,  208. 

Tadorna  casarca,  270. 

cornuta,  175. 

Talegalla  lathami,  343. 
Tanagra  bonariensis,  5. 

militaris,  21. 

Tantalus  loculator,  439. 
Tanygnathus  burbidgii, 

470. 

leueonensis,  316. 

Tarsiger,  405. 

chrysieus,  416. 

cyanurus,  262. 

orientalis,  340. 

Tatare,  393. 

Tchitrea  paradi.si,  412. 

princeps,  337. 

TemenuchuB  pagodarum, 

419. 
Terekia  cinerea,  33. 


Terpsiphone,  321. 

perspicillata,  227. 

Tetra,o,  430. 

bonasia,  35,  430. 

septentrio- 

nalis,  430. 

camtschaticus,  214. 

griseiventris,  430. 

niediuB,  344. 

mlokosiewiezi,  431. 

tetrix,  344,  387. 

urogalloides,  214. 

urogallus,  344,  387. 

Tetraogallus  caucasicus, 
470. 

bimalayensis,  423. 

Thalassidroma    leucor- 

rhoa,  347. 

pelagica,  98. 

Tbaninobia  leucocephala, 

2(i2. 
Thamnopbilus,  451. 

insignis,  450. 

Thilius,  9. 

major,  13. 

Tliriponax,  317. 

feddeni,  317. 

hargitti,  317. 

javensis,  317. 

Tbryothorus,  241. 
Ticbodroma    muraria, 

244,  372,  411. 
Tiga,  317. 

everetti,  317. 

Tigrisoinabrasiliense,439. 

salmoni,  439. 

Tinnuncuius  alaudarius, 

145,  293. 

artburi,  456. 

cencliris,  222. 

pekinensis,     221, 

222. 
Todus  subulatus,  168. 
Totanus  calidris,  390. 

canescens,  99,  233. 

fuscus,  390,  429. 

glottis,  267,  424. 

bypoleucus,  99, 390. 

luelanoleucu.s,  441. 

ocbropus,  2()7. 

Tricboglossus     meyeri 

bontbainensis,  458. 
Tricbogramoptila    leuco- 

gastroides,  111. 
Tricbolais    citrinicep.s, 

111. 
Tricbostoma  rufifrons, 

320. 
Tringa  alpina,  268,  389. 
caiiutus,  34,  99. 


Tringa  cinclu8,  99. 

maculata,  102. 

maritima,  99. 

minuta,  34. 

platyrbyncha,  33. 

ruficollis,  34,  268. 

siibininuta,  34. 

• teiiiniincki,  268. 

Triiigoides    bypoleucos, 

148. 
Trocbalopterou    cbryso- 

pteruu),  414. 

liueatuni,  414. 

rufogulare,  414. 

variegatum,  414. 

Trocbalupteruin     cano- 

rum,  264,  265. 
Troglodytes    alascensis, 

41. 

uipalensis,  413. 

paeiiicus,  41. 

parvuluB,  40,  373. 

• ,  Tar.  fuuiiga- 

tus,  41. 
Trupialis,  2,  23. 

belHcosa,  23,  24. 

• defdippii,  23,  24. 

guianensis,  22. 

• loyca,  42. 

uiilitaris,  23,  24. 

ruficeps,  17. 

supcrciliaris,  22. 

Turacus  giganteus,  344, 

359. 
Tui'dinus,  321. 
T'jrdus   arundinaceus, 

119. 

atrogularis,  414. 

curreus,  21. 

daetyloplerus,  215. 

fuscater,  3.38. 

iliacus,  3()9. 

merula,67, 140,369. 

musicus,  98,   140, 

369. 

olivater,  444. 

pibiris,  369. 

roi-ainiae,  443. 

ruficollis,  405,  414. 

■ tbilius,  12. 

torquatus,  369. 

viscivorus,  368,  414. 

Turiiix,  sp.  inc.,  423. 

sylvatica,  93. 

Turtur  cbinensis,  266. 

communis,  147. 

gelastes,  36. 

buuiilis,  179,  421. 

orientalis,  35,  266. 

risoria,  421. 


INDEX. 


1-81) 


Turtiir  rupicola,  36,  421. 

suratensis,  421. 

Tjranniis   dominicensis, 

168. 

Upucerthia,  205. 
Upii])a   epops,   36,    144, 

261,  380,  412. 
Uragus  sibiricus,  104. 
Uria  carbo,  175. 

columba,  174. 

troile,  392. 

Urinator  adaiiisi,  346. 

iminer,  346. 

Urocissa  flavirostris,  418. 

■ sinensis,  265. 

Urodrepanis,  325. 
Urospizias,  355. 

albiventris,  355. 

appi-oximans    hal- 

mahertE,  458. 
Urubitinga  zonura,  436. 

Vanellus  cayennensis,44 1 . 

cristatiis,  267,  423. 

vulgaris,  148,  380. 


Vauga  cruenta,  323. 
Vidua    erytlirorhyncba, 

229. 
Vireo  flaro-viridis,  103. 
Volvocivora    melaschis- 

tus,  412. 
Yultiir  ciuereus,  97. 
nionachus,  242, 278, 

279,  381,  405. 

Xanthocepbalus,  2,  14. 

icterocephalus,   14, 

15. 

loiigii^es,  14. 

pei'spicillatus,  14. 

Xanthopygia    cyauome- 
la3na,  180. 

fuliginosa,  262. 

Xanthornus,  17,  18. 

chrysocarpus,  12. 

chrysoi:)teriis,  13. 

cyanensis,  12. 

ll;lTUS,  16. 

gasqueii,  20. 

holosericeus,  18. 

purpurascens,  7. 


Xantliosomus,  2,  15. 

llavus,  15,  16. 

frontalis,  15,  16,  17. 

icterocephalus,  15. 

ruficapillus,  15,  17. 

Xanthotis,  327. 

fusciventris,  327. 

Xenieus,  393. 
Xenoeichlaorientalis,342. 
Xenopipo  atronitens,  447. 
Xenopirostris,  396,  397. 
Xenospingus,  240. 

Yungipicus  kisuki,  101. 

Zeocephus,  321. 

cyanescens,  320. 

rufus,  334. 

Zosterops,  123,  327,  340. 

erissalis,  341. 

eurycricotus,  339. 

fallax,  341. 

japonica,  36. 

palpebrosus,   360, 

418. 
simplex,  360. 


END  OF  VOL.  II. 


rUINTED  BY  TAVLOK  AND  FKANCIS,  KEP  LION  COURT,  FLEET  STliELT. 


SRR.   V 


-TOL.    II. 


FIFTH  SERIES. 
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CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  V.   {continued). 
Xn.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  J.  E.  Harting-,  Mr.  E.  Cavendisli  Taylor, 
Count  T.  Salvador!,  Mr.  H.  E.  Dresser,  Baron  de  Selys-Long- 
cliamps ;  Forbes's  Final  Idea  as  to  the  Classification  of  Birds ; 
The  New  Bird-Gallery  at  South  Kensington ;  The  U.S.  Na- 
tional Museum ;  The  National  Museum  of  Lisbon ;  Bird-Notea 
from  Mr.  Layard ;  New  Works  in  Progress ;  Rare  Birds  in 
Andalucia ;  The  Birds  of  the  Benin  Islands ;  Dr.  Fischer'3 
East- African  Collections 114 


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1.  Annual  Report  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  1881. 

2.  Meyer.     Abbildungen  von  Vogel-Skeletten. 

3.  Blasius.  Ueber  die  wahrscheinlich  schon  von  den  eingeborenen  Sammlern 
und  Jagern  ausgefiihrte  Falschungen  von  Vogelbalgen  aus  Ecuador.  (Verb.  f. 
Naturw.  z.  Braunschweig,  iii.) 

4.  Blasius.  Ueber  die  letzten  Vorkommnisse  des  Riessen-Alks  (Alea  im- 
pennis).     (Verb.  f.  Naturw.  z.  Braunschweig,  iii.) 

5.  Blasius.  Ueber  sine  kleine  Sammlung  von  Vogeln  aus  Java.  (Verb.  f. 
Naturw.  z.  Braunschweig,  iii.) 

6.  SuNDEVALL.  Svcnska  Foglarna.  Fortsattning  af  Profs.  J.  G.  H.  Kinberg. 
Haftena  23-28. 

7.  Shueeldt.  Observations  upon  the  Osteology  of  Podasoeys  montanus. 
(J.  of  Anat.  &  Physiol,  xviii.) 

8.  Blakiston.  Zoological  Indications  of  Ancient  Connection  of  the  Japan 
Islands  with  the  Continent.     (Trans.  Asiatic  Soc.  of  Japan,  1883.) 

9.  Collett.  Ardetta  mi7iuta,  Sterna  cantiaca,  og  Larus  rninutus  nye  for 
Norges  Fauna.     (Christiania  Vidensk.  Forhandl.  1883.) 

10.  Ramsay.  Contributions  to  the  Zoology  of  New  Guinea.  (Trans.  Linn. 
Soc.  N.  S.  W.  viii.) 

11.  GoDMAN  AND  Salvin.  Biologia  Central!- Americana  (Zoology).  Part 
xxvi.    (1883.) 


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CONTENTS  OP  NUMBEE,  V.— EIETH  SERIES. 

Page 
I.  A  Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Icteridae. — Part  III. 
Agelaeinse.       By    P.    L.    Sclater,    M.A.,    Ph.D.,    F.R.S. 
(Plate  I.) 1 

II.  On  a  new  Carpodectes  from  South-western  Costa  Rica.     By 

RoBEBT  RiDGWAT.    (Plate  II.) 27 

III.  On  a  new  Species  of  Wryneck,  discovered  in  Eastern  Equa- 
torial Africa  by  Dr.  Emin  Boy.  By  Dr.  G.  Harxlatjb. 
(Plate  III.) 28 

IV.  Further  Contributions  to   the   Ornithology   of  Japan.      By 

Henky  Seebohm 30 

Y.  Notes  on  three  Guatemalan  Birds.     By  Robert  Ridqway  .     .     43 

VI.  On  two  new  Species  of  Birds  from  Africa.     By  Captain  G.  E. 

Shelley 45 

VII.  Introduction  to  Gould's '  Birds  of  Asia.'    By  R,  Bowdler  Sharpe.     49 

VIII.  Inauguration  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union.     .     .     .   -  60 

IX.  Rough  Notes  on  Spanish  Ornithology.     By  Abel  Chapman. 

(Plate  lY.) 66 

X.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  V.  On  a  new  Japanese  Wood- 
pecker.    By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S 100 

XI.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

1.  Booth's  Rough  Notes  on  British  Birds 101 

2.  British  Association's  Report  on  Migration  in  1882  ....  102 

3.  'Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club'      •     •     •     •  i  inq 

4.  D'Aubusson's  '  Birds  of  France ' ( 

5.  Gould's  *  Birds  of  Asia ' i  inj. 

6.  Hartlaub  on  the  Genus  Hyliota j 

7.  Nelson  on  the  Birds  of  Bering  Sea 105 

8.  Oates's  '  Birds  of  British  Burmah ' 106 

9.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  Somali-land i  in7 

10.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Ecuador j     ^' 

11.  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  Central  Africa "N 

12.  Reichenow  on  the  Birds  of  Zoological  Gardens  .     .     .     •  (    ir,Q 

13.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  the  Commander  Islands  and  \ 

Petropaulovsky J 

14.  Ridgway  on  Motacilla  ocularis      ., J 

16.  Ridgway  on  new  Birds  from  Lower  California     .     .     .     .  v    109 

16.  Ridgway  on  a  new  American  Pipit | 

17.  Ridgway  on  Merula  confinis j 

18.  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarrell's  '  Birds ' i    110 

19.  Schalow  on  Bohm's  Collections  from  East  Africa    .     .     .    ) 

20.  Stearns  on  the  Natural  History  of  Labrador 1 

21.  Vorderman's  '  Birds  of  Batavia ' t    HI 

22.  Watson  on  the  Penguins J 

\_Contents  continued  on  j)age  3  of  Wrapper. "] 


Covers  for  binding  last  year's  Volume  may  be  had  on  application  to  the 

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Vol.  II.     No.  6. 


APRIL  1884. 


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THE    IBIS, 


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EDITED  BY 


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BRITISH  ORNITHOLOGISTS'  UNION. 


PRESIDSNT. 

The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Lilford. 

SECRETARY. 

H.  E.  Dresser,  Esq. 

committee. 

The  President.  ") 

The  Editors  of  'The  Ibis.^  > Ex  officio. 

The  Secretary.  j 

O.  Salvin,  Esq. 

Capt.  E.  Shelley. 

W.  B.  Tegetmeier,  Esq. 

The  British  Ornithologists'  Union  was  instituted  in  1858  for 
the  advancement  of  the  science  of  Ornithology.  Its  funds  are 
devoted  primarily  to  the  publication  of  'The  Ibis/  a  Quarterly 
Journal  of  Ornithology,  of  which  twenty-five  volumes  have  now 
been  completed. 

The  Union  consists  of  Ordinary  Members,  Honorary  Members 
(limited  to  ten),  and  Foreign  Members  (limited  to  twenty). 

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lished in  '  The  Ibis,'  on  applying  for  them  to  the  Secretary. 

The  Election  of  Members  takes  place  at  the  Annual  General 
Meeting,  held  in  April  or  May  of  each  year.  Persons  wishing  to 
become  Members  are  requested  to  apply  to  the  Secretary  for  infor- 
mation respecting  Election. 

H.  E.  DRESSER, 

Secretary. 
G  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  W. 

Now  ready,  Price  30s. 
A  GENERAL  INDEX  OF  THE  FIRST  THREE  SERIES  OF 

'THE  ibis; 

1859-1876. 
Edited  by  Osbert  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S. 


J.  VAN  VOORST,  1  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 


CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  VI.  (continued). 
XXIV.'   Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  E.  Cavendisli  Taylor,  Count  T.  Salvador! ; 
The  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club  of  Chicago ;  Eurynorhyn- 
chus  lyygmceus  in  Hainan ;  Expedition  to  Kilimanjaro  .     .     .  214 


Publications  received  since  the  issue  op  No.  5,  Fifth  Series, 

AND  NOT  noticed  IN  THE  PRESENT  NuMBER. 

12.  Habtlaiib.  Diagnosen  einiger  neuer  Vogel  aus  dem  ostlichaquatorialen 
Africa.     (J.  f.  O.  1883.) 

13.  Shabpe.    Note  on  Strix  oustaleti,  Hartlaub.     (P.  Z.  S.  1882.) 

14.  Sharpe.  On  the  correct  Generic  and  Specific  Name  of  the  Indian 
Shama.     (Ann.  &  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  1882,  x.) 

15.  VoBDEBMAN.  Bataviasche  Vogels. — Part  V.  (Natuurk.  Tijdsch.  voor 
Nederl.  Indie,  Deel  xliii.) 

16.  The  Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  1884,  No.  1. 

17.  Swinburne,  Notes  on  the  Islands  of  Sula  Segeir,  or  North  Barra  and 
North  Eona,  with  a  List  of  the  Birds  inhabiting  them.  (Proc.  R.  Physical  Soc. 
Edinb.  viii.) 

18.  Meyer,  A.  Eine  in  Sachsen  erlegte  Rackelhenne.  (Mitth.  omith. 
Vereines  in  Wien,  1884.) 

19.  Catalog  zur  siebenten  Ausstellung  des  Deutschen  Vereins  fiir  Vogelzucht 
und  Acclimatisation  (Aegtntha)  in  Berlin.     (8vo.  Berlin,  1884.) 

20.  Blasius.  Publicationen  der  "Zoological  Society  of  London."  (Verein 
fiir  Naturwiss.  Braunschweig,  1883.) 

21.  Jahresbericht  (1882)  des  Ausschusses  fiir  Beobachtungsstationen  der 
Vogel  Deutschlands.     (J.  f.  O.  1884.) 

22.  Jahresbericht  (1882)  des  Comites  fur  ornithologische  Beobachtungs- 
stationen in  Oesterreich  und  Ungarn.     Royal  8vo.     Wien,  1883. 

23.  Johnston.  The  river  Congo,  from  its  mouth  to  Bolobo,  with  a  general 
description  of  the  Natural  History  and  Anthropology  of  its  Western  Bashi. 
(London,  1884.) 

24.  Mittheilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien,  1884,  No.  1. 

In  the  Press. 

A  LIST  OF  THE  DIURNAL  BIRDS  OF  PREY, 

WITH  REFEEENCES  AND   ANNOTATIONS; 
ALSO, 

A  REOOED  OF  SPECIMENS  PRESEEVED  IN  THE  NOEFOLK  AND 
NOEWICH  MUSEUM. 

By  JOHN   HENRY   GURNEY. 

In  8vo,  paper  covers  7s.  6d.,  cloth  9s. 
JOHN  VAN  VOORST,  1  PATERNOSTER  ROW,  E.C. 


Now  ready. 

A  NEW  LIST  OF  BRITISH  BIRDS. 

A  List  of  British  Birds  compiled  by  a  Committee  of  the  British  Ornithologists' 
Union.    229  pp.    8vo.    Price  10s.  6d. 

London :  John  Van  Voorst,  1  Paternoster  Row,  E.C. 


Members  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union  can  obtain  the  above  of  Mr. 
R.  H.  Porter,  6  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  W.,  at  the  reduced  price  of 
7s.  Qd.  cash. 


CONTENTS  OE  NUMBER  VL— EIETH  SEllIES. 

Page 

XIII.  Field-Notes  from  Slavonia  and  Hungary,  with  an  Anno- 

tated List  of  the  Birds   observed  in   Slavonia.     By  W. 
Eagle  Clakke,  r.L.S.,  M.B.O.U 125 

XIV.  A  Review  of  the  Species  of  the  Family  Icteridoe. — Part  IV. 

Quiscalinse.      By   P.  L.  Sclater,  M.A.,   Ph.D.,  F.H.S. 
(Plate  V.) 149 

XV.  On  a  Collection  of  San  Domingo  Birds.     By  H.  B.  Teistkam, 

D.D.,  F.R.S 167 

XVI.  On  some  Eastern  Owls.     By  J".  H.  Gurnet 168 

XVII.  Eemarks  on  the  Occurrence  of  the  Egyptian  Nightjar  in 

Nottinghamshire.     By  J.  H.  Gurnet,  Jun 173 

XVIII.  Further  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  Japan.     By 

Henry  Seebohm.     (Plato  VI.) 174 

XIX.  On    the    East- Asiatic    Shore-Lark   (Otocorys   longirostris). 

By  Henrt  Seebohm 184 

XX.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VI.  On  the  Genus  Mlglyptes. 

By  Edward  Hargitt,  F.Z.S 189 

XXI.  Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VII.  Additional  notes  on  the 
Woodpeckers  of  the  Ethiopian  Eegion.  By  Edward 
Hargitt,  F.Z.S 199 

XXII.  On  the  Occurrence  of  (Estnlata  licesitata  in  Hungary.     By 

W.  Eagle  Clarke,  F.L.S 202 

XXIII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

23.  '  The  Auk  ' 203 

24.  Blasius  on  Birds  from  Ecuador ) 

25.  Blaaius  on  Birds  from  Java i    204 

26.  Blasius  on  the  Great  Auk | 

27.  Collett  on  three  additions  to  the  Norwegian  Avifauna  .  «     q^,- 

28.  Coppinger's  Cruise  of  the 'Alert' ^    ^()0 

29.  Doering  on  the  Birds  of  the  Kio  Negro  of  Patagonia    .     .  206 

30.  Dybowski's  additional  Remarks  on  the  Siberian  Puffins  I 

81.  Dybowski's  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Kauitschatka  ...  I    207 

32.  Godman  and  Salvin's  '  Biologia  Centrali-Americana  '    .  ) 

33.  Gould's 'Birds  of  New  Guinea' 208 

34.  JuUien  on  the  Anatomy  of  Aptenodytes 1 

35.  Maingonnat  on  a  new  Species  of  Argus I    209 

36.  Oustalet's  Ornithological  Notes ) 

.37.  Ramsay  on  the  Zoology  of  New  Guinea 210 

38.  Sharpe  on  the  Progress  of  Oruithology  in  1882     ....  211 

39.  Shufeldt  on  the  Osteology  of  Podasoci/s  montanus    .     .1     £,,0 

40.  Taczanowski's  Second  List  of  Birds  from  Kamtschatka  )         '^ 

[Contents  continued  on  page  3  of  Wrapper,'] 


Covers  for  binding  last  year's  Volume  may  be  had  on  application  to  the 

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Communications  may  be  addressed  to  the  Editors,  6  Tenterden  Street,  Han- 
over Square,  W.  Advertisements  &c.  to  the  Publisher,  John  Van  Voorst, 
1  Paternoster  Row,  London,  E.C. 

Members  of  the  B.  O.  U.  are  requested  to  keep  the  Secretary,  H.  E. 
Dresser,  Esq.,  6  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  W.,  informed  of  any 
change  of  Residence,  so  that  the  Numbers  of  '  The  Ibis '  may  be  sent  to  them 
without  delay. 


FIFTH  SERIES. 

YoL.  II.    No.  7. 


JULY  1884. 


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QUARTERLY  JOURNAL  OF  ORNITHOLOGY. 


EDITED  BY 

PHILIP  LUTLEY  SCLATER,  M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S. 

SECRETAEY  TO  THE  ZOOLOGICAL  SOCIETY  OF  LONDON', 


AND 


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JOHN  VAN  VOORST,  1,  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 


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Publications  eeceived  since  the  issue  of  No.  6,  Fifth  Series, 

AND  NOT  noticed  IN  THE  PRESENT  NuMBER. 

25.  GiBALDES.     Catalogo  das  aves  de  Portugal.     8vo.  Coimbra,  1879. 

26.  Blasius.  Zur  Geschichte  der  Ueberreste  von  Alca  impennis.  (J.  f.  O. 
1884.) 

27.  Mkyer.  Ueber  neue  und  uageniigend  bekannte  Vogel,  Noster  und  Eier 
aus  dem  Ostindiscben  Archipel.     (luteruat.  Ornith.  Congr.  1884.) 

28.  FiNSCH.  Ueber  Vogel  der  Siidsee.  (Mitth.  oruith.  Vereines  in  Wien, 
1884.) 

29.  Cope.    On  tlie  Zoological  Position  of  Texas.     (Bull.  U.S.  Nat,  Mas. 

No.  17.) 

30.  HAnviE-BBO-WN.     Method  in  recording  Observations.     (Zoologist,  1884.) 

31.  ISLenzbieb.  Ptevue  Comparative  de  la  Fauue  Oruithologiq^ue  des  Gou- 
vernements  de  Moscou  et  de  Toula.     (Bull.  S.  I.  Nat.  Moscou.) 

32.  The^Auli.'     Vol.  i.  No.  2. 

33.  Lawbence.  Characters  of  a  new  Species  of  Pigeon  of  the  Genus 
Engyptila,  from  the  Island  of  Grenada,  West  Indies.     ('  The  Auk,'  vol.  i.) 

34.  Oust  ALEX.     L' Architecture  des  Oiseaux.     (Assoc.  Sci.  de  France,  1883.) 

35.  OusTALET.  Note  sur  les  Collections  rapportees  par  M.  E.  Chantre  de 
sou  Voyage  dans  la  Caucase  et  en  Orient.  (iVirn.  des  Sci.  Nat.  &  s6r.  tome 
xiii.) 

36.  Stejxegeb.     Analecta  Ornith ologica,     (*  The  Auk,'  vol.  i.) 

37.  Stejneger.  On  Changes  in  Ornithological  Nomeuclatm-e — A  Reply  to 
Critics.     ('  The  Auk,'  vol.  i.) 

38.  Stejnegeb.     Notes  on  the  Genus  Acanihus.     ('  The  Auk,'  vol.  i.) 

39.  RiDGWAY.  Descriptions  of  some  new  North-American  Birds. — Descrip- 
tion of  a  new  American  Kingfisher. — Notes  on  Psaltriparus  grindce. — Note  on 
the  Generic  Name  Calodroinas.     (Proc.  Biological  Soe.  Washington,  vol.  ii.) 

40.  Mabtobelli.  Osservazioui  sui  Manimiferi  ed  Uccelli  fatte  in  Sardegna. 
4to.     Pistoia,  1884. 

41.  Mittheilungen  des  ornithologischen  Vereines  in  Wien.     (1884,  Nos.  4, 5.) 

42.  Menzbieb.  Role  du  Croisement  dans  I'Extinction  des  Especes.  (Revue 
Scieutihque,  1884,  No.  17.) 

43.  CouES  and  Pbentiss.  Avifauna  Columbiana.  2nd  edition.  (Bull. 
U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  No.  26.) 

44.  Dalgleish.  Notes  on  a  Second  Collection  of  Birds  and  Eggs  from 
Central  Uruguay.     (Proc.  R.  Physical  Soc.  Edinb.  vol.  viii.) 

45.  Habvie-Bbown.  On  the  Occurrence  of  the  Little  Gull  (Lams  minutus) 
in  the  Island  of  North  Uist.     (Proc.  R.  Physical  Soc.  Edinb,  vol.  viii.) 

46.  Selys-Longchamps.  Considerations  sur  le  Genre  Mesange  {Parus). 
(Bull.  Soc.  Zool.  France,  tome  ix.) 

47.  Ridgway.  a  Review  of  the  American  Crossbills  (Loxia)  of  the  L.  cur- 
virostra  type,     (Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Washington,  vol,  ii.) 

48.  Ridgway.  Note  on  the  Anas  hypei-horeus,  PaU,,  and  ATi&er  albatus, 
Cass.     (Proc.  Biol.  Soc,  W^ashiugton,  vol,  ii.) 

49.  Ridgway.  Remarks  on  the  Type  Specimens  of  Muscicapa  fidvifrons, 
Giraud,  and  Miti-ejjhurus  pallescem,  Cones,  (Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Washington, 
vol.  ii.) 

50.  Ridgway.  Note  regarding  the  earliest  Name  for  Carpodacus  hamorrhous 
(Wagler).     (Proc.  Biol.  Soc.  Washington,  vol.  ii.) 

51?  Saxvadobi.  Intorno  ad  una  Specie  di  Falco  nuova  per  la  Fauna  Italiana. 
(Atti  R.  Accad.  d.  Sci.  Torino,  vol.  xix.) 

52.  Salvadoei.     Elenco  degli  Scritti,  186-3-84. 

53.  Tbistbam,  Rev.  Canon.  Fauna  and  Flora  of  Palestine.  4to.  London, 
1884. 

54.  Ridgway.  List  of  Species  of  Middle  and  South-Ameiican  Birds  not 
contained  in  the  U.S.  National  Museum.     (Proc.  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  1881.) 

55.  Blasius.  Erster  internationaler  Ornithologen-Congress  in  Wien. 
(Monats.  d.  deutsch,  Ver.  zum  Schutze  d.  Vogelwelt,  1884,  No.  5.) 


CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  VII.  {continued). 

66.  Meyer  on  a  Grouse  from  Saxony "^ 

67.  Ornithologist  and  Oologist | 

58.  Radde  and  Pelzeln  on  Birds  from  the  Caucasus   .     ,     .   )>  344 
69.  Report  of  the  German  Committee  on  the  Migration  of 
Birds 

60.  Report  of  the   Austro-Hungarian  Committee  on   the 

Migration  of  Birds | 

61.  Schalow's  Catalogue  of  the  Seventh  Exhibition  of  the  )>  345 

^giutha I 

62.  Selys-Longchamps  on  the  Birds  of  Heligoland     ...  J 

63.  Sharpe  on  Strix  oustaleti ^ 

64.  Sharpe  on  the  correct  Name  of  the  Shama j 

65.  Stejneger  on  the  Birds  of  Westland )>  346 

66.  Stejneger  on  new  Birds  from  Kamtschatka  and  the  Com-  i 

mander  Islands J 

67.  Swinburne's  List  of  the  Birds  inhabiting  the  Islands  of  I 

Sula  Sgeir I    347 

68.  Vieillot's  *  Analyse  '  (reprint) ) 

69.  Vorderman's  '  Birds  of  Batavia  ' I     o.^ 

70.  Wagler's  Six  Ornithological  Memoirs  (reprint)    .     .     .  j 

XXXVIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney,  Mr.  J.  A.  Harvie-Brown, 
Dr.  Finsch,  and  Count  Salvadori ;  Extract  from  a  Letter 
from  Mr.  Whitely ;  News  of  Travellers  and  Collectors ; 
New  Birds  iu  the  Zoological  Society's  Gardens ;  Roche- 
brune  v.  Nitzsch  ;  Houbaras  as  Food ;  News  of  the  Kilima- 
ndjaro  Expedition  ;  Ridgway  Ornithological  Club,  Chicago ; 
Hodgson's  Ornithological  Drawings  ;  The  late  Coimt  E. 
Turati's  Collection  ;  Anniversary  Meeting  of  the  B.  0.  U. ; 
Obituary — Professor  Schlegel 348 


Now  ready.  Price  30s. 
A  GENERAL  INDEX  OF  THE  FIRST  THREE  SERIES  OF 

'THE  ibis; 

1859-1876. 
Edited  by  Osbert  Salvin,  M.A.,  F.R.S. 


J.  VAN  VOORST,  1  PATERNOSTER  ROW. 


Now  ready. 

A  NEW  LIST  OF  BRITISH  BIRDS. 

A  List  of  British  Birds  compiled  by  a  Committee  of  the  British  Omitholoo-ists' 
Union.    229  pp.     8vo.    Price  10s.  Qd. 

London :  John  Van  Voobst,  1  Paternoster  Row,  E.G. 


Members  of  the  British  Ornithologists'  Union  can  obtain  the  above  of  Mr. 
R.  H.  Porter,  6  Tenterden  Street,  Hanover  Square,  W.,  at  the  reduced  price  of 
7*.  Qd.  cash. 


CONTENTS  OP  NUMBEK  VII.— PIETH  SEUIES. 


XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 
XXIX. 

XXX. 

XXXI. 

XXXII. 

XXXIII. 

XXXIV. 

XXXV. 

XXXVI 

XXXVII, 


Page 
Additional  Notes  on  the  Ornithology  of  Transvaal.     By 
Thomas  Atres.     Comrnunieated  by  J.  H.  Gurxet    .     .  217 

A  few  Ornithological  Xotes  and  Corrections.  By  W.  Edavin 
Brooks,  of  Milton  West,  Ontario,  Canada 234 

Remarks  on  two  rare  American  Oscines,  By  P.  L.  Sclatee, 
M.A.,  Ph.D.,  F.R.S.     (Plate  VII.) 240 

On  the  Birds  of  Northern  Tibet.     By  Col.  N.  Pbzewalski.  242 

Notes  on  Woodpeckers. — No.  VIII.  On  the  Genus  Henxi- 
cercus.     By  Edward  Hakgitt,  E.Z.S 244 

On  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Central  China.  By  Henry 
Seebohm 259 

Notes  on  the  Pink-headed  Duck  (Anas  caryojyhyllacea). 
By  Frank  B.  Simson 271 

On  the  Species  of  the  Genus  Pernis  inhabiting  Japan,  By 
J.  H.  GuRNEY 275 

On  the  Geographical  Distribution  of  Birds  in  European 
Russia  north  of  the  Caucasus. — Part  I.  Rapaces  Diurnoe. 
By  M.  Menzbier 278 

On  a  Collection  of  Birds  made  in  Southern  Palawan  by 
Mr.  E.  Lempriere.  By  R.  Bowdler  Sbl-irpe,  F.L.S., 
F.Z.S.,  &c.     (Plate  VIII.) 316 

Remarks  on  the  Eighth  and  Ninth  Volumes  of  the  '  Cata- 
logue of    the  Birds  in   the  British  Museum.'      By  T. 

Salvadoei,  C.M.Z.S.,  For.  Memb.  B.O.U 322 

.  Contributions  to  the  Ornithology  of  the  Philippine  Is- 
lands.— On  two  Collections  of  Birds  from  the  vicinity  of 
Manilla.     By  R.  G.  Wardlaw  Ramsay,  F.Z.S.,  M.B.O.U. 

(Plate  IX.) 330 

,  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

41.  Bennett  on  the  Habits  of  Leipoa I     oop 

42.  Bkkiston's  Amended  List  of  the  Birds  of  Japan  .     .     .  (     "^ 

43.  Blasius's  Ornithological  Coutributions j 

44.  Cooke  and  Widmanu  on  Bird-migration  in  the  JMis-  (     oot 

sissippi  VaUey t 

45.  Cory  on  the  Birds  of  San  Domingo ) 

46.  Crawford's  '  Across  the  Pampas ' 338 

47.  Crowley's  Catalogue  of  Birds'  Eggs   ..,....)     „on 

48.  Fischer  and  Reichenow  on  new  Birds  from  Masai-laud  j 

49.  Gadow  on  the  Ciunyrimorphse 340 

50.  Goss  on  the  Birds  of  Kansas I     o_,i 

51.  Gould's 'Birds  of  New  Guinea' (    '  *^ 

52.  Hartlaub  on  new  African  Birds /     o^g 

53.  Holmberg  on  the  Birds  of  the  Sierra  del  Taudil   ,     .     .  (     ^  ^ 

54.  Huet  on  Birds  in  the  JarJin  des  Plantes I     <,<■> 

55.  Johnston's  '  River  Congo ' ( 

[Contents  continued  on  page  3  of  Wrapper.^ 


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CONTENTS  OF  NUMBER  VIII.  {continued). 

XL VIII.  Letters,  Announcements,  &c. : — 

Letters  from  Mr.  J.  H.  Gurney  (two),  Mr.  H.  K.  Coale,  Capt. 
Savile  G.  Reid,  Mr.  A.  Nehrkorn,  Mr.  E.  N.  Harcoiirt,  Mr.  F. 
Nicholson  ;  Additions  to  the  Collection  of  Birds  in  the  British 
Museum  ;  Sheep-slaughter  by  Nestor  notahilis  ;  Bird-notes 
from  Tasmania  j  Note  concerning  Mr.  William  Foster .     .    .  465 

Index 473 

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CONTENTS  OP  NUMBER  VIII.— EIETH  SERIES. 


Page 
XXXIX.  Notes    on    the    Birds   of   the   Pyrenees.       By   Howaed 

Saunders 365 

XL.  Notes  on  the  Eighth  Volume  of  the  '  Catalogue  of  Birds  in 

the  British  Museum.'     By  H.  B.  Tkistram,  D.D.,  F.R.S.  392 

XLI.  Notes  on  the  Birds  of  Chamba,  in  the  N.W.  Himalaj^as. 

By  Major  0.  H.  T.  Marshall.     (Plate  X.) 404 

XLII.  Notes  on  a  Collection  of  Birds  from  Lankoran.     By  Henry 

Seebohm 425 

XLIII.  Ou  Tetrao  griseiventris,  a  recently  described  Species  of 
Hazel- Grouse  from  North-east  Russia.  By  Henry 
Seebohm.     (Plate  XI.) 430 

XLIV.  On  a  Collection  of  Bird-skins  from  the  Orinoco,  Vene- 
zuela.    By  Hans  von  Berlepsch.     (Plate  XII.)  .     .     .  431 

XLV.  Description  of    a  new   Species    of   the    Genus  Picumnus 

from  Southern  Brazil.     By  Hans  von  Berlepsch  .     .     .  441 

XL VI.  Notes  on  Birds  from  British  Guiana.  Part  III.  By  Osbert 
Salvin  and  F.  DuCane  Godman,  FF.Il.S.  (Plates  XIII., 
XIV.) 443 

XLVII.  Notices  of  recent  Ornithological  Publications  : — 

71.  'The  Auk' 452 

72.  Blasius  on  the  Ornithological  Congress  at  Vienna     .     .     .  453 

73.  Blasius's  second  Paper  on  the  Great  Auk 1 

74.  Cope  on  the  Zoological  Position  of  Texas >    454 

75.  Coues  and  Prentiss  on  the  Avifauna  of  Columbia     .     .  ) 

76.  Dalgleish  on  Birds  and  Eggs  from  Central  Uruguay      .  J 

77.  Finsch  ou  Birds  from  the  South  Pacific i    455 

78.  Giraldes  on  the  Birds  of  Portugal \ 

79.  Gurney's  '  List  of  the  Diurnal  Birds  of  Prey '  .     .     .     ,1      ■ -p 

80.  Harvie-Bi'own  on  Records  of  Migration | 

81.  Martorelli  on  the  Fauna  of  Sardinia 

82.  Menzbier  on  the  Avifauna  of  Central  Russia   ....  I    457 

83.  Menzbier  on  the  Extinction  of  Species  through  Crossing  ) 

84.  Meyer  on  Birds.  Nests,  and  Eggs  from  the  East  Indies .     .  458 

85.  Oustalet  on  the  Collections  of  M.  E.  Chantre 459 

86.  Oustalet  on  the  Architecture  of  Birds j 

87.  Oustalet  on  Birds  from  Nevp  Guinea J.    460 

88-95.  Ridgway  on  American  Birds \ 

96.  Salvadori's  '  List  of  his  Works  ' \      .  „, 

97.  Salvadori  on  a  Falcon  new  to  Italy \ 

98.  Saunders's  Edition  of  Yarrell's  '  Birds ' |      .  „j, 

99.  Seebohm's  '  British  Birds  and  their  Eggs ' j         "^ 

100.  Selys-Longchamps  on  the  Tits  (Parinae) 1 

101.  Sharpe's  '  Birds  of  South  Africa ' I    463 

102.  Taczanowski's  *  Ornithology  of  Peru ' ) 

103.  Tristram's  '  Faima  and  Flora  of  Palestine ' 464 

[^Contents  continued  on  page  3  of  Wi-apper,^ 


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in 
to 

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3 


.5^3^^     N.  MANCHESTER, 
'^"^  INDIANA